Ticket Gov. Corzine and His Driver

Much has been in the news about New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine and his failure to be buckled up when his N.J. State Police driver was involved in an accident while traveling at 91MPH in a 65MPH zone. According to the Associated Press, New Jersey law requires drivers and front-seat passengers to wear seat belts.

The AP now reports that New Jersey Attorney General Stuart Rabner has commissioned an independent panel of experts to review the state police unit that drives and protects the governor. It is charged with developing guidelines for how the unit operates.

How many times in the past five years have I written to the Office of the Director of the Illinois State Police to ask this same question – are State Police troopers who drive the Illinois Governor expected to obey traffic laws?

I can’t answer that question, but I can tell you how many replies I’ve received – NONE. The absense of a reply means to me that Illinois troopers who drive the Governor may not obey traffic laws. Should they?

Of course, they should. And not only should, but must! If the governor says, “Step on it, Trooper. I’m late,” the trooper/driver must say, “Sorry, Governor. State law says I must not operate my vehicle unlawfully. You are asking me to break the speed limit, and I can’t and won’t do it.”

The only problem with that answer is that about eight hours later, the trooper will be working the midnight shift in Podunksville.

Gov. Corzine should have been ticketed immediately following the accident. His driver should have been ticketed for operating a motor vehicle with an unbuckled front seat passenger AND for the numerous other violations – speeding, improper use of emergency equipment, failure to avoid an accident. Do all these add up to Reckless Driving?

I have seen nothing in the news about any traffic charges against the driver. But that should not be too surprising. Right here in McHenry County, law enforcement officers cause accidents and do not get ticketed. And, around here, news of their accidents often doesn’t even make the newspapers. Is this right?