There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals. When there aren’t enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws.
— Ayn Randp
I don’t think this is criminalizing innocent people at all. Uninsured motorists is not a desirable condition, forcing me to purchase insurance just in case someone with it causes me financial harm. In fact, I applaud state’s like NY and GA where insurance coverage is verifiable electronically to match all registered and titled vehicles, thus making it difficult to operate without insurance. I make sure I have my insurance card in my glove box and that it is up-to-date. I think it would be simple to appeal a fine, if you can subsequently provide the required proof of insurance. This is aimed at scofflaws, not the law abiding public.
The ones insuring their vehicles & carrying their insurance cards will not have anything to worry about. Those with insurance not carrying their cards will just have to prove that they had the insurance in force at the time of the ticket & prove that they still have coverage. Those without insurance will be fined for breaking the law. I live in Maryland & was a victim of a DC driver that did not have insurance – its a shame those of us that pay for insurance have to also pay for those who drive without insurance!
I applaud the efforts of DC and various other states in their efforts to tackle uninsured driving. In the UK motor insurers have built an electronic database of all active policies which can be accessed by the vehicle licensing and police agencies to establish whether a vehicle is insured or not. The licensing authorities also use the database to track cases of early cancellation of a motor insurance policy.
I’ve handled subrogation for 16 years, plus, all over the east. Mandantory insurance only means you have to go pay the minimum amount to get a proof of insurance card. When the next premium bill comes, it goes in the trash, you still have your proof of insurance. This occurs in every state that has mandantory insurance laws, and I’ve seen in personally in both NY and GA, since they were mentioned.
Some DC politician is riding this to fame and fortune in a town full of people doing the same…nothing to see here, move along.
What is needed is a system by which insurers notify the vehicle licensing bureau (and/or law enforcement) that the insurance has effectively expired because the premium has not been paid and for this to prompt a visit to the offender!
In the UK the electronic database is flagged when an insurance policy is terminated in this way even when the proof of insurance is still in circulation.
Maine has mandatory insurance and reasonable enforcement. Cards are required with registration. The state maintains a database with cooperation of the carriers. Cancellations result in license revocation. This has dramatically reduced the number of uninsured/irresponsible drivers.
There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals. When there aren’t enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws.
— Ayn Randp
I don’t think this is criminalizing innocent people at all. Uninsured motorists is not a desirable condition, forcing me to purchase insurance just in case someone with it causes me financial harm. In fact, I applaud state’s like NY and GA where insurance coverage is verifiable electronically to match all registered and titled vehicles, thus making it difficult to operate without insurance. I make sure I have my insurance card in my glove box and that it is up-to-date. I think it would be simple to appeal a fine, if you can subsequently provide the required proof of insurance. This is aimed at scofflaws, not the law abiding public.
The ones insuring their vehicles & carrying their insurance cards will not have anything to worry about. Those with insurance not carrying their cards will just have to prove that they had the insurance in force at the time of the ticket & prove that they still have coverage. Those without insurance will be fined for breaking the law. I live in Maryland & was a victim of a DC driver that did not have insurance – its a shame those of us that pay for insurance have to also pay for those who drive without insurance!
I applaud the efforts of DC and various other states in their efforts to tackle uninsured driving. In the UK motor insurers have built an electronic database of all active policies which can be accessed by the vehicle licensing and police agencies to establish whether a vehicle is insured or not. The licensing authorities also use the database to track cases of early cancellation of a motor insurance policy.
I’ve handled subrogation for 16 years, plus, all over the east. Mandantory insurance only means you have to go pay the minimum amount to get a proof of insurance card. When the next premium bill comes, it goes in the trash, you still have your proof of insurance. This occurs in every state that has mandantory insurance laws, and I’ve seen in personally in both NY and GA, since they were mentioned.
Some DC politician is riding this to fame and fortune in a town full of people doing the same…nothing to see here, move along.
What is needed is a system by which insurers notify the vehicle licensing bureau (and/or law enforcement) that the insurance has effectively expired because the premium has not been paid and for this to prompt a visit to the offender!
In the UK the electronic database is flagged when an insurance policy is terminated in this way even when the proof of insurance is still in circulation.
Maine has mandatory insurance and reasonable enforcement. Cards are required with registration. The state maintains a database with cooperation of the carriers. Cancellations result in license revocation. This has dramatically reduced the number of uninsured/irresponsible drivers.