I read with disbelief the Dec. 30 editorial regarding Maine’s unlicensed motorists. The editorial stated, “Losing a license is reserved for the most dangerous violations, like operating under the influence.”

Are you kidding me? People can lose their driver’s license for failing to pay child support, failure to pay a traffic violation, failure to appear in court and simply changing the vehicles’ insurance provider. Hardly within the “just plain reckless” category the Sun Journal quotes. Irresponsible, but clearly not reckless.

According to the Maine Department of Motor Vehicles, 1,805 Maine drivers’ licenses were suspended for failure to pay child support during 2006; 11,763 were suspended for failure to pay various fines; and 2,442 for failure to appear. A mere 406 persons lost their licenses due to OUI convictions.

The Sun Journal is advocating public access to name the persons who do not have a valid driver’s license. By virtue of public humiliation, will these “reckless” people suddenly have the money to redeem themselves? Most likely not – it may inhibit the offenders from a better paying job that will enable them to pay their fines and reinstate their licenses.

State officials should revoke drivers’ licenses based on demerit points, not the inability to pay miscellaneous infringements. Perhaps offenders’ wages could be garnished to pay overdue monetary violations.

While statistics show that most have lost their license for reasons that are not reckless, the Sun Journal has turned a blind eye to those simply trying to earn a living.

Beryle Martin, Auburn