Rhode Island Drivers Who Pay Tickets by Mail Escape Scrutiny

An analysis finds some Rhode Island drivers are moving unnoticed through the system and staying behind the wheel despite multiple violations.

The Providence Journal reports Sunday that some drivers’ lengthy records have not been examined — and their licenses haven’t been suspended — because they paid their tickets early by mail.

The newspaper also reports that the full driving history of others also isn’t always available to traffic judges. That’s because of a law that clears most traffic violations from a person’s record after three years.

A new law lets judges suspend drivers’ licenses after four infractions in 18 months, but the state’s chief magistrate says they can’t use that law when drivers are allowed to pay their tickets by mail.