Editorial - "License to Drive" - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial - "License to Drive"

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By Collin R. Gaston - bio | email

  • Editorials

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:20:08 GMT
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;

  • Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:20:07 GMT
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 
    •   

One out of five motorists in Alabama operates a motor vehicle with no liability insurance resulting in our state ranking the sixth worst in the nation. A startling statistic given in June of 2000 Alabama passed a law that stipulated, "No person shall operate, register or maintain registration of...a motor vehicle...unless the motor vehicle is covered by a liability insurance policy, bond, or deposit of cash." This requirement affects automobiles, pickups, trucks, motorcycles, motor homes, and other self-propelled vehicles. 

Why does this matter to you?  Liability Coverage is what pays the damages due to bodily injury and property damages to others for which you are responsible.  Meaning 20% of the drivers involved in accidents have no coverage to fund the medical and property damage caused by them leaving your insurance company to foot the bill.  Less people insured = higher rates for the rest of us.

The state is taking action and under the heightened enforcement plan county license plate offices will be verifying the validity of the insurance information when issuing or renewing car tags, police can now verify that the insurance has not lapsed during traffic stops and the state Revenue Department will conduct random computer checks to see if motorists have dropped coverage.

With these new measures in place we are confident Alabama move swiftly out of 6th worst in the nation and hope that those without insurance do the right thing and go get insurance or go get a bus ticket. 

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