Driving down the highway and trying to avoid wayward drivers can be a
high-anxiety filled task. Concern about whether those vehicles are insured only
adds to your angst.
A new law in Oklahoma will soon have more uninsured vehicles heading straight
for the impound lot. Gov. Brad Henry signed the bill into law authorizing law
enforcement to impound certain vehicles driven by uninsured motorists. It takes
effect Nov. 1.
National figures show 1-in-6 drivers do not have liability insurance; in
Oklahoma, it is estimated the ratio is 1-in-4.
Previously HB2331, the new law takes advantage of a four-year-old system in
the state that gives law enforcement instant verification of liability insurance
status. Approved by state lawmakers in 2006, the system was created by the
insurance industry and the state.
“This bill addresses one of the most consistent problems in Oklahoma today –
getting uninsured motorists off of the roads,” Rep. Steve Martin,
R-Bartlesville, said in a statement.
“It is a slap in the face when you have to pay for both your insurance and
the cost of repair when hit by an uninsured driver,” Sen. Gary Stanislawski,
R-Tulsa, stated.
Law enforcement will soon have the authority to seize uninsured vehicles
licensed in the state during traffic stops and accident investigations. Affected
vehicles will be towed to an impound lot until the requirements of Oklahoma’s
mandatory insurance law are satisfied.
Critics said that while the verification system is supposed to be 90 percent
accurate, it isn’t foolproof. They don’t want people to have their vehicles
taken away for no reason.
Supporters said safeguards are in place to make sure a compliant vehicle
doesn’t get locked up. Others said it is important to get uninsured vehicles off
the road. They cited figures that show the average wreck involving uninsured
drivers costs the victim $11,000.
Sheila
