Dallas To Vote On Towing Uninsured Drivers

[Billy Blaze]

I have always carried insurance on all my vehicles, and have been hit by people without insurance.
Rogue brings up an interesting point with the abandoned cars. i can see how this would happen too.
I'm just saying there are a lot of people out there that are just trying to make a living, imagine paying for insurance on minumum wage....or for that matter sustaining your own life by buying groceries and paying rent and utilities. On top of that what if you are single?
My point is I am not advocating driving without insurance, but it seems to make more sense that if you are driving without insurance and you cause a wreck or something else that causes loss to another...then the book should be thrown at you.
Making prices higher to live isnt the answer.
I just am not convenced that it will do a whole lot of good. and likely cause more criminal activity.

[cam76034]

I have always carried insurance on all my vehicles, and have been hit by people without insurance.
Rogue brings up an interesting point with the abandoned cars. i can see how this would happen too.
I'm just saying there are a lot of people out there that are just trying to make a living, imagine paying for insurance on minumum wage....or for that matter sustaining your own life by buying groceries and paying rent and utilities. On top of that what if you are single?
My point is I am not advocating driving without insurance, but it seems to make more sense that if you are driving without insurance and you cause a wreck or something else that causes loss to another...then the book should be thrown at you.
Making prices higher to live isnt the answer.
I just am not convenced that it will do a whole lot of good. and likely cause more criminal activity.

Driving without insurance IS criminal activity. How do people manage to come up with money for gas, a requirement to drive, but somehow expect a free pass for insurance, another (legal) requirement to drive?

[bnordin]

I believe there should be a data base developed that a police officer can check to make sure that insurance is valid. They have no problem searching for unpaid tickets. There already is a law that prohibits driving without insurance so impound the car until insurance is in place.

[Sharpie]

The only thing that bothers me about this would be the getting my car towed because I forgot to put the new card in my wallet or glove box. If I get towed for being inattentive to putting up with valid cards every 6 months but my insurance never stops that's an expensive lesson that many can't afford.

I do agree with Rogue mainly because I will always have insurance and so should everyone else.

[Dave04]

...imagine paying for insurance on minumum wage....

Wait... trying to live on minimum wage? If the best you can do is a minimum wage job, get the DART card and save yourself the cost of gas AND insurance. Otherwise, it's commonly called "living beyond your means".

[Billy Blaze]

Wait... trying to live on minimum wage? If the best you can do is a minimum wage job, get the DART card and save yourself the cost of gas AND insurance. Otherwise, it's commonly called "living beyond your means".

that doesn't really help if your not on a Dart line.

Sharpie has another interesting point, i am always covered but sometimes my insurance company is slow getting my cards out.
There is already a system in place to check (without stopping you) wheather or not you have valid insurance, I think they are waiting on legislation to pass to put that into play.

I know there are people out to just try and get by with keeping more of their money by not paying insurance, but there are some just poor folks out there doing what they can to support themselves too.
that's why i am on the fence about this.
It seems if there is someone who just cant pay it, and you take their car away they are going to do something else to feed their family besides working a job they have to drive to.
I know it's a crime to drive without insurance, but i would rather have someone driving the streets without insurance than someone desperate that turns into a burglar or theif cause they dont have the means to support their family.
Anyway that's my take on it.
I dont agree with no insurance but dont think this is the answer either.

[POS Racing]

I believe there should be a data base developed that a police officer can check to make sure that insurance is valid. They have no problem searching for unpaid tickets. There already is a law that prohibits driving without insurance so impound the car until insurance is in place.

The state is already working on a database as we speak it is currently being tested in the greater Austin Area. ( http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/auto/frvp.html )

[trickyrix]

I have occasionally been pulled over w/o my insurance card (I always have insurance, though). So I don't think they should tow my car just b/c I left the card at home - the cops need to be able to verify that you have insurance beyond seeing the piece of paper. Just b/c you have a card in your glovebox doesn't mean you've got insurance.

Anyhow, I don't have a problem with getting uninsured people off the road, but I think it will be a logistical nightmare to tow and store all the cars. Plus, Rogue's right - there will be a LOT more abandoned cars in the impound lot.

[POS Racing]

Anyhow, I don't have a problem with getting uninsured people off the road, but I think it will be a logistical nightmare to tow and store all the cars. Plus, Rogue's right - there will be a LOT more abandoned cars in the impound lot.

I have the answer!

Click Me!

[Titus]

As for Dallas PD's complaint that they would spend to much time sitting around waiting for a tow truck, they could just throw a boot on the car, send the gps coordinates to the tow company via their in car computer, and go.

[POS Racing]

Well looks like it just passed!

[POS Racing]

Guess not everybody got the memo, it's not about fairness or safety or law breaking, it's about racism!

Supporters said it would make the roads safer, but council member Carolyn Davis said the proposal is racist.

"This whole thing affects poor people -- Hispanics and especially African-Americans, " Davis said. "And it's another form of harassment of young African-American males."

Lookie here!

Voting in favor of it: Mayor Tom Leppert, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway, and council members Sheffie Kadane, Mitchell Rasansky, Carolyn Davis, Ron Natinsky, Dave Neumann, Angela Hunt, Jerry Allen and Ms. Koop.

[altiain]

Well looks like it just passed!

"This is really simple. We have a policy that says you have to have insurance in order to drive. Driving is a privilege,” said District 11 council member Linda Koop, chairwoman of the council’s transportation and environment committee. “When you’re not a responsible driver, you don’t get that privilege.”

Well at least Linda seems to get it!

[cam76034]

Not to take effect until Jan. 01?! Guess that gives plenty of time to shop some liability quotes.

[Nails]

A year ago last March I was stopped in the left lane on Royal Lane east of Webb Chapel behind an Expedition when a Grand Cherokee hit me from behind doin' about 40 mph. He swerved a bit right before impact. The rearview mirror inside my car came off the windshield and the stereo faceplate came off too. Neither had ever been removed before. Was a sweet ride that I worked hard for and took care of that is now scrap metal. Fortunately I had UM coverage. The driver was a white male in mid twenties who worked for Unique Performance. He had no insurance.

From age 18 to almost 25 I had only a motorcycle to ride year round. My insurance was way too high then for a car.

[tailchaser]

As for Dallas PD's complaint that they would spend to much time sitting around waiting for a tow truck, they could just throw a boot on the car, send the gps coordinates to the tow company via their in car computer, and go.

Much easier to pass a rule allowing the tow companies to collect an extra $100 fee for UM vehicle towing. They'll be there in a jiffy.

[Titus]

Much easier to pass a rule allowing the tow companies to collect an extra $100 fee for UM vehicle towing. They'll be there in a jiffy.

I like the plastic explosives in the tailpipe better.

[Ataim]

My new company will be opening on January 1, 2009. All I need it a truck, driver, phone number and MAYBE some insurance . And I'll be in business.

[onething]

Here I am after the fact, just reading this thread. A couple of thoughts come to mind.

1. Driving is a privilege and it comes with responsibility.
2. If enough people stop driving, maybe the Metromess will slip into the 20th century and get a real mass transit system.
3. If you don't remember to take your wallet when you go driving and you run out of gas, it will be a burden too. Keep the card current or suffer the consequences (reading the definition might help)

What ever your age, gender or race the law is equal and fair. Get a license, get some insurance, or get off the highway. Driving was never a God-given right; it is a privilege.

[black roadster]

Regarding how it affects the poor, their are two sides to the coin.

Said Ms. Hunt: “This is a matter of fairness. It is a matter of enforcing the law … I'm thinking about the young single mother who's working two jobs. She gets hit by an uninsured driver. What happens? She's making those repairs out of her own pocket."

I agree that this is a cut and dry issue. Driving is a privilege and with that privilege comes the responsibility of obeying the laws and carrying insurance.

If anything, this helps the honest and hard working poor people who can't afford to be hit by an uninsured motorist.