Fast Cars, Police, and The New Consequences

I love listening to my parents stories from when they were my age. There were so many things they could do that I can’t in the world I live in today. My favorite stories that I would love to be able to do? Racing. As in street racing, as in fast cars and good times. As in the cops chase you, your job is to lose the cops. If I tried that today I would be thrown in jail, lose my license, and God only knows what else. Oh and it would haunt me for the rest of my life on my official record. Is this fair? I think not. The other day I was driving down the highway with my mom and we got passed by several cars that seemed to be involved in a race. Seeing as they were weaving in and out of traffic at speeds exceeding 100 mph, and that the cheapest car probably cost more than I make in a year, I am pretty sure my assumption that they were involved in a race was accurate. With every car that passed my desire to join them grew. I am positive I could have out driven them, it was horrifying just how bad they were, but there was no way my car would have had a chance. Watching the last car disappear in front of us my mom and I talked about how amazing it would be to be a part of the whole street racing world. I love to drive, and I would love to be able to fix up a car and race across the country. Sadly, I don’t see that being a part of my near future. But our talk quickly turned from the people racing the cars, and we started to discuss the police force that is now in power. It seems that there is no longer any responsibility left to the parent or to individuals to be able to manage their lives. I understand that street races can be dangerous, but as long as the people actually know how to drive, and know how to be careful of others on the road than I say let them drive. And if one is doing something stupid slap their wrist, but don’t mark them for the rest of their life. I know a lot of people who tell stories of the cops catching them underage with booze and either pouring it out, or telling their parents. Today the people I know that got caught as a minor get a Minor in Possession, have to go to therapy, pay huge fines, do community service, and if they are over eighteen carry it on their record for the rest of their life. As far as I see it they were the ones consuming alcohol, not forcing it down anyone else’s throat. So really, what exactly makes it the police’s business? Now if that minor is out endangering other’s because they are out of control then fine. They have crossed the line, but until then leave them be. I have the same issue with seatbelt laws. If I don’t wear my seatbelt I think it is my own matter. My grandfather survived two accidents because he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. So why is it anyone else’s responsibility to tell me what I should do for my own safety? Rather than chasing the car speeding down the road, or pulling the person over that has decided to not wear their seatbelt, there are so many other things out there that I would rather see the police deal with.