Well, I’m sure glad the police, polizei and policia didn’t bust me for not speaking French, German, Italian and Portuguese. And heaven help me if I’d been pulled over in Scotland, where communication is impossible.
As a general rule, I don’t think long term U.S. Citizens should get driver’s licenses until they can converse in English. If we’re talking about people visiting from other countries here on a vacation, I would allow for an exception.
Look, that’s my take on it. I could be all wet, but this move to Balkanize the U.S. is something I’ll fight every way I can. Our language is English. Our citizens and even those who function here on a basis longer than thirty days should be conversational in and able to read English.
“...heaven help me if I’d been pulled over in Scotland, where communication is impossible.”
Sadly, that problem will still be around even in the distant future:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IKnv0QIemw
:-)
While I’ve never driven in a country where they didn’t speak English...okay, except Scotland, I’m sure you have to demonstrate an understanding of the traffic laws and road signs. This woman’s illegal u-turn and lack of a driver’s license point to something wrong.