In road hog this week, our cameras capture, among others, the brazen disregard of traffic law by a familiar culprit… the government or rather its drivers.
We bring you 5 GK vehicles caught in the act of overlapping and never mind a revised traffic law recently enacted by the same government recommends stiff penalties for the same. We also ask, just how many passengers is a probox vehicle licensed to carry?
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When lawmakers disregard traffic laws, it often sparks public outrage and calls for accountability. Such incidents highlight the tension between legislative immunity and the principle that no one is above the law.
Recent Incidents Involving Lawmakers and Traffic Violations
Arizona: In January 2025, Senator Jake Hoffman was stopped for driving 89 mph in a 65 mph zone. Due to legislative immunity, he was not ticketed. This sparked controversy, leading to a proposed bill to revoke this immunity for traffic violations.
Connecticut: State Representative Aundre Bumgardner was arrested for DUI in March 2025. He had a blood-alcohol level over twice the legal limit. Following his arrest, he was suspended from leadership roles, and legislative leaders emphasized the high standards expected of lawmakers.
Ohio: State Senator Niraj Antani was identified as having the most traffic citations among state lawmakers over the past decade, with 14 convictions since 2013. He acknowledged his speeding violations and expressed regret, stating he would do better in the future.
Legal and Political Implications
Legislative immunity is a legal doctrine that protects lawmakers from certain legal actions while performing their official duties. However, this immunity does not extend to all actions, and its application to traffic violations has been a subject of debate.
In Arizona, Governor Doug Ducey signed an executive order in 2018 directing state troopers to cite lawmakers for traffic violations, despite the immunity provision.
The public’s reaction to such incidents often leads to legislative reviews and reforms. For example, the proposed bill in Arizona to revoke legislative immunity for traffic violations reflects a growing sentiment that lawmakers should be held to the same standards as other citizens.
In summary, while legislative immunity exists to allow lawmakers to perform their duties without undue interference, its application to traffic violations is increasingly being questioned. Public outcry and legislative actions indicate a shift towards holding lawmakers accountable for their actions on the road.
