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Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Dallas City Council might possibly maybe crack down on uninsured motorists

by PegNews wire

The Dallas City Council is considering a crackdown on uninsured drivers.

Currently, uninsured drivers who are in accidents get their cars towed; the crackdown would involve also towing the cars when drivers are given tickets for being uninsured. Last year, about 3,900 uninsured drivers got in accidents, while 76,000 uninsured drivers got tickets.

Statistics show that blacks and Hispanics make up more than 2/3 of the drivers who are being ticketed for not having insurance. Council member Vonciel Jones Hill says the proposal isn't fair, and that people don't have insurance because they can't afford it. Which is an interesting way to look at it. You don't want to begrudge someone their transportation but if you can't afford something, you can't afford it. I can't afford a Bentley which is why I drive a '96 Civic.

Posted by T.G.

Staff
Verified User
Anonymous

I think we've already had <a href="http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/dec/10/uninsured-motorist-detection-program-roll-out-aust/">some comments about this topic</a>, and it came down to cost of insurance being a part of the cost of owning a car.

This policy is no more racist than gas stations charging poor minorities the same amount for gas that they charge well-off crackers.

Pavel Lishin Verified

1 year, 5 months ago
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(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

lovlytiff_bannedTOSviolator Anonymous

1 year, 5 months ago

lovlytiff, I'm honestly very confused.

Please elaborate.

Scott Doyle Verified

1 year, 5 months ago
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Even when I was almost penniless, I ALWAYS maintained car insurance. It was very difficult but if stopped by the law and you have no liability proof of insurance, it was a huge fine. And yes, it's the law.

I fully understand being poor...trust me... but I recently took defensive driving and a young woman in the class told me she does not ever get insurance because she could not afford it. But I could tell she simply did not see it as a priority. On the other hand, she was driving a late model Pontiac. With a fancy manicure. And a stylish handbag. And a professional hair streaking.

I can argue this a thousand ways but car insurance liability cannot be an 'option'. The towing of the car seems excessive but I cannot find an alternative answer. I was once too broke years back... too broke to have my registration or inspection sticker current, and that was in violation of the law. But it had no potential to ruin someone else financially. Destroying someone else's car (or person) with your uninsured car most certainly can and does cost others a fortune. Or worse.

Rawlins Gilliland Verified

1 year, 5 months ago
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Maybe Lovlytiff was thinking of South Africa, not Niger, where even getting a driver's license is a <a href="http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/10/29/america/journal.php">painful bureaucratic process</a> that can take a year and has actually sparked off riots.

I guess if you make licenses impossible to get, the number of motorists drops down to almost nothing - except people would just drive without insurance AND without a license, only adding on to the problem.

Or maybe lovlytiff just can't spell racial slurs. Our educational system has truly failed.

Pavel Lishin Verified

1 year, 5 months ago
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In The Netherlands, getting a license is prohibitively expensive for many people.. they ride bikes or take the tram instead.

If you can't afford the insurance, you aren't going to be able to pay when you hit my car either.

Claiming this is racist is just asinine.

Clay213 Anonymous

1 year, 5 months ago
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lovlytiff's comment was removed because it appeared to contain a racial slur (misspelled to try to get through our filters). I removed it on my mobile, hence the delay in explanation.

Mike Orren Staff

1 year, 5 months ago
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Way to go Mike! You just don't ever sleep, do you?

Jason Rice Verified

1 year, 5 months ago
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No try about it. =p

Still made no sense. 'splain yo'self, imo.

Scott Doyle Verified

1 year, 5 months ago
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A lame attempt at that. They could have gone with about a ɡazillion other options. As it is, they just slandered a poor African nation.

I'd illustrate, but I don't want to make Miko's job any harder than it already is.

Pavel Lishin Verified

1 year, 5 months ago
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FWIW, it turns out that lovlytiff was a sales rep for a company trying to sell us their automated comment moderation services. I'll have more to say about this on Square Pegs later...

Mike Orren Staff

1 year, 5 months ago
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Guess that explains the avatar. I'll be on the edge of my e-seat, Miko.

Scott Doyle Verified

1 year, 5 months ago
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60 day trial period of TexasSure <a href="http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2008/06/04/90630.htm">started Monday</a> in Travis and Williamson counties, btw.

Also, we haven't seen any blogging on lovlytiff's antics Miko (afaik).