My Car, My Castle?

I suppose back in the good old days, if I could buy a Model T, I could drive it.

Then the liberties began to be chipped away.

• Licenses — We must have them in order to legally drive a motor vehicle.
• Registration — Our motor vehicles must be registered with (and license plated by) the state.
• Speed Limits — Do bicyclists and joggers have speed limits?
• Fueling Up — In Oregon we’re not free to pump gasoline into our own vehicles.
• Insurance — first, optional; then, liability mandatory.
• Seat Belts — first, optional use; then, mandatory use
• DEQ Tests — first, in metro areas; then, further and further out into the country
• Fueling up II — As of July 1, topping off you fuel tank is illegal as well.
• Cellphone Use — after the first of next year, I won’t be able to drive and talk on a hand-held device in Oregon. (That’s already the case in Washington and elsewhere.) I guess that will make it easier to shave, hold a cup of coffee, and drive.

I could give more examples, but I’ll ask some questions instead:

1. When will we have to start wearing helmets?
2. When will our passengers have to be quiet?
3. When will single-person (ie, driver-only) vehicles be mandated?
4. When will we not be allowed to listen to radios and other acoustic devices?

Oh well. I could just go back to walking.

I’ll just have to be careful to stay in my lane while crossing the street. 😯