BTW, I realize there are important constitutional issues being argued here (right to use public facilities, forfeiture of property, etc.), but at some point we have to recognize that this is an important public health/safety issue that needs to be addressed.

When we drive or bike we rely on an assumption that people will have certain requirements to drive and will do certain things (have a operators license, have adequate vision, not cross the center line, not drink and drive, etc.). That is the way that the existing US roadway infrastructure is designed. If you cannot meet those requirements or follow those rules and endanger other peoples lives you should not be allowed on the roadways with responsible people, and if you do so against the law there should be serious repercussions.

On the other hand, We would need to support alternative means to allow people who cannot, are not allowed to or choose not to drive a way to meet their transportation needs. Many of the people I arrest for driving on a suspended license truly believe that driving was their only option. It may not have been (hello, see the commuter forum), but that is their perception and thus, their reality.