DOZENS of drivers in a major US city have managed to get their licenses by paying up and skipping the test – in a clear sign of crooks rigging the system.
Indeed, potentially hundreds of individuals have obtained licences thanks to illegal practices by a driving school and DMV employees.
A driving school targeted vulnerable immigrants, bypassing road tests with bribes to DMV employees[/caption]
A Queens-based driving school exploited immigrants and paid off DMV examiners to fast-track licences[/caption]
A recent report from the NY Post revealed a scheme in New York City, specifically Staten Island, involving a Queens-based driving school that allegedly bribed Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) examiners to illegally issue driver’s licences to immigrants who were unfit to drive.
The driving school, T&E Driving School, primarily targeted Chinese immigrants, many of whom did not speak English, and charged them for licences without requiring them to take road tests.
Authorities, including Staten Island prosecutors, Homeland Security Investigations and state investigators, uncovered the operation, nicknamed “Operation Road Test.”
George Ioannidis, assistant special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New York, said: “Our investigation found that T&E Driving School blatantly flouted the laws and procedures that are necessary to ensure the public safety on the road.
“As alleged T&E utilized social media and strategic advertising to Target exploited members of the Chinese community and guaranteed individual drivers licenses regardless of their immigration status, language, and even their ability to operate a vehicle.
“Moreover these individuals were those who did not speak or understand English and may have believed that they all were taking necessary and legitimate steps.”
The scheme involved bribing DMV employees to rubber-stamp licences for individuals who lacked basic driving skills – thus compromising public safety.
The investigation led to the indictment of several individuals, including the driving school’s owner, employees and DMV examiners.
Prosecutors believe the scam could involve hundreds or even thousands of people – with some examiners issued some 1,500 tests a year over several years.
Furthermore, defendants have been arraigned on various charges – including fraud and tampering.
They were released without bail due to New York State’s 2019 criminal justice reforms.
However, they have been ordered to surrender their passports.
Authorities continue to investigate the scale of the operation, suggesting it may be far more extensive than initially revealed.
In contrast, a new law targeting young drivers is coming to Ohio.
It includes a new, wider-reaching driver education program – forcing all motorists under 21 to complete a full education course to obtain a driver’s license.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, the change comes as the state’s governor expressed safety concerns – citing a high percentage of fatal crashes involving young adult drivers.
He believes that proper training makes drivers safer, regardless of their age.
Previously, drivers under 18 were required to complete a full driver’s education course, including 24 hours of classroom or online instruction, eight hours of driving with an instructor and 50 hours of driving with a parent or guardian – including 10 hours at night.
Furthermore, those aged 18 to 20 could skip formal driver’s education entirely if they passed a road test, or they could take a shorter four-hour course and abbreviated behind-the-wheel training.
Would you suffer through the DMV for a loved one?
More than half of Americans would suffer through going to the DMV (53%) for the sake of their loved ones, according to new research.
To understand how far people are willing to go to help others, a recent survey of 2,000 U.S. adults explored the concept of loyalty in terms of friends, family and even brands.
The DMV’s line is not the only sacrifice. Two in five Americans said they’d happily donate an organ to their family and friends, showcasing the depth of loyalty in interpersonal relationships.
According to the results, Americans would also act as a reference for an apartment or job (62%).
Partners (35%) and best friends (27%) were ranked as the top two most likely people respondents would start a business with.
And if $100,000 were to suddenly fall in their lap 82% of respondents are even likely to share their winnings with family and friends.
Conducted by Talker Research for Circle K’s Inner Circle Rewards Program, results also found that brands and businesses also pull a similar type of loyalty.
Almost three in five (57%) have certain items or services where they prefer one brand over another, including shoes (52%), technology, such as phones or computers (51%), hair products (50%) and clothing (44%).
Seven in 10 (71%) have loyalty to their grocery store, and 59% feel loyal to certain restaurants and food services, while others prefer certain gas stations (39%) and convenience stores (27%).
In fact, the average American has remained loyal to their favorite brands and products for 13 years, while 35% indicated that two decades have passed.
Nearly three-quarters (74%) even agreed that they can tell the difference between the same products made by different brands.
“Loyalty is fundamental to our relationships with family, friends, businesses and brands. The more loyalty you give, the more you get — and it deserves to be recognized,” said Rick Rasor, Vice President of Loyalty at Circle K.
“That is why we are dedicated to rewarding customers for continually making us a part of their daily life.”
