(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

We scored an important win for road safety and immigrant rights in Massachusetts by voting the Work and Family Mobility Act into law this past June. The law allows all Massachusetts residents to apply for a driver’s license, regardless of their immigration status. Years in the making and backed by law enforcement, immigrant advocates, and labor unions, the law passed overwhelmingly with support of more than three-quarters of the Massachusetts House and Senate. This new law will ensure that all drivers on our roads are licensed and insured.

Unfortunately, this law is now in jeopardy; an opposition group has gathered enough signatures to attempt to repeal the law on this November’s ballot. Now it’s up to the voters to decide its fate. As the state delegation for Somerville and Medford, we strongly support voting YES on Question 4 this Election Day to preserve the Work and Family Mobility Act and improve road safety for all Massachusetts drivers.

Endorsed by the Massachusetts Major Cities Chiefs of Police and the majority of Massachusetts Sheriffs and District Attorneys, Yes on 4 has overwhelming support from law enforcement, including Somerville and Medford Chiefs of Police, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Sheriff Peter Koutoujian. They understand our roads are safer with more licensed drivers. Allowing all residents to apply for a driver’s license means ensuring that every Massachusetts driver has fulfilled our state’s testing, training, and insurance requirements.

We are in good company: 16 other states, including our neighbors in Connecticut, New York and Vermont, have passed similar laws and have seen marked increases in road safety. We’ve seen impressive results, including a 9% decrease in hit and run accidents in Connecticut, and an 80% decrease in the rate of uninsured drivers in Utah. With more insured drivers on the road, the cost of auto insurance drops for all drivers.

Along with safer roads, voting Yes on 4 will promote economic growth. From the costs of obtaining a driver’s license, vehicle registration, and inspections, the new law is estimated to bring in approximately $11 million in taxes and fees in its first three years.

The attack on this law affects everyone. Yes on 4 enables all state residents to safely get to work, drive their kids to school, and go to the doctor. Yes on 4 improves public safety and well-being in the Commonwealth by ensuring more drivers on the roads are properly trained, tested, and insured.

If you are in favor of safer roads, we urge you to vote Yes on 4 this Election Day.

State Representative Christine Barber, 34th Middlesex District
State Senator Patricia Jehlen, 2nd Middlesex District
State Representative Paul Donato, 35th Middlesex District
State Representative Sean Garballey, 23rd Middlesex District
State Representative Mike Connolly, 26th Middlesex District
State Representative Erika Uyterhoeven, 27th Middlesex District