Rules and regulations exist for a reason. Contrary to the cliche, rules are not made to be broken. Those who break laws are punished. So it goes without saying that if individuals under the age of 21 are caught drinking, they will be punished.

A new law went into effect on Jan. 1 to deter this activity. House Bill 5941 is a law that would suspend the drivers’ licenses of minors caught drinking.

The general consensus is the law is unfair. It gives an unfair punishment and does not let those accused defend themselves.

But look at the facts: only those over the age of 21 are allowed to drink.

How is that unfair? The law is the law. Whether anyone likes it or not, it’s not up for negotiation.

According to the State of Illinois Web site, this law came about as the result of a survey conducted by the Licensed Beverage Association, which found minors fear losing their drivers’ licenses.

The law makes sense. The offender would be without a drivers’ license for a year in hopes of keeping them from breaking that law again.

At first glance, it does look like an unfair law. One question that comes up is “what about due process?” The fifth amendment to the United States Constitution gives that right, but having a driver’s license is not a right. Having free speech and press is a right, but having a driver’s license is a privilege.

And besides, how would it work, for a minor to go in front of a judge, having been caught drinking? What is there to prove? The individual would prove he or she is under 21 and was caught drinking while underage. Well, that individual just admitted to the crime, and the punishment is spelled out: license suspension for one year.

On the discussion of rights, what about the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Some rights outweigh others.

Everyone has the right to drive at night without fearing a drunk driver. That’s why drunk drivers are arrested. Though that right may not specifically apply to underage drinking, it is the same principle.

Whether students like it or not, a law is a law, and it needs to be followed.

This is not the first law to curb underage drinking. Previously, a drivers’ license could be suspended for up to six months for certain offenses. Where was the uproar about that one?

Seeing as how six out of 10 bars recently checked for compliance admitted to serving alcohol to minors, more action is necessary.

Two parties are at fault when a minor gains entry to a bar: the bar that let the minor in and that minor. Thus, both parties should be punished.

If bars receive fines and punishments for serving minors, they should get the message and stop serving minors. And if a minor receives a license suspension for trying to drink, that minor should get the message that it is not permitted. Being punished and fined is not unreasonable when the law is broken.

To some, its seems that laws like House Bill 5941 and programs like Project 21 are specifically targeting college students. It probably does to some extent. But that is because more college-age students and bars can be found in a college town, making laws and projects of this nature more prominent.

Many people try to drink before turning 21. It is a tradition many people have tried. But that doesn’t make it right.