Hmm, interesting, you advocate respect and yet complain about measures to enforce what must be the most important expression of respect - consideration for other peoples safety.
The government do not introduce laws like this lightly, they know they are unpopular but the key fact from the article you reference is - "child road accidents fell by 67%" - is this not a good enough reason for the law?
As for enforcing the law, an unenforced law is worse than no law as it sends the message that it is ok to to ignore laws which is not good for society. Would you like it if the police decided not to enforce the burglary law in your area - no I though not.