Dallas and Carrollton joining the folly of impounding cars for no insurance

by Scott Henson of Grits For Breakfast

Dallas and Carrollton are now impounding cars of drivers with no insurance when they're pulled over at traffic stops - that's about one in four cars on Texas roads. Meanwhile, more than 200 departments statewide are participating in a traffic warrant roundup aimed at generating revenue. More than 10% of Texas drivers have outstanding arrest warrants for traffic fines, many of them for no insurance (which carries with it the hefty, ironically named "driver responsibility fee").

It really makes you wonder whether there's enough jail space for all the scofflaws or enough impound lot space for all the cars. On the question of vehicles with no insurance, I've said before:

My own preferred solution to the crisis of uninsured drivers is as simple as it is unlikely to pass in Texas anytime soon: Use the gas tax to implement pay at the pump insurance for minimum liability so that every driver becomes automatically covered via no-fault insurance on terms more closely regulated by the state. As an added bonus, since companies would all be paid the same for every driver, they would be forced to compete on quality of service instead of striated pricing schemes.

Lately I've been noticing insurance companies beginning to avoid using credit scores to rate drivers and, in some cases, shifting to a straight up "pay by the mile" insurance premium. That's essentially similar to a pay at the pump scheme, except with pay at the pump there would be no option to not carry minimum liability coverage.

I consider the use of law enforcement to subsidize/maximize insurance company profits unnecessary and untoward, whereas pay at the pump would solve the chronic problem of uninsured drivers overnight, reduce rates by pooling risk more comprehensively, and free up police for other, more important duties. Sure, the threat of impoundment will make some people pay, no doubt, but only those who can afford it. In an economic downturn with new layoffs being announced every day, larding extra punishments on the poor seems like a a particularly untenable approach.

Pegasus News content partner - Grits For Breakfast

Staff
Verified User
Anonymous

Clay213, says:

'larding extra punishments on the poor seems like a a particularly untenable approach.'

Being poor does not absolve one from needing to play by the rules. Can't afford insurance? Don't drive.

Anonymous

9 months, 2 weeks ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

Jason Rice, says:

Clay, could you please stop saying stuff I have to agree with. It's much easier to argue with you.

I personally started a pool for how long it'll take LULAC to figure out the disproportionate percentage of non-citizens of their sheltered demographic that drive without insurance and are therefore considerably more likely to lose cars than bland conforming types such as myself. (Let's just call it "Coverage Profiling")

It's a buck a square and there are some good Monday morning time slots still open.

Verified

9 months, 2 weeks ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

Clay213, says:

Hasn't the claim that this sort of thing is racist already been made?

Anonymous

9 months, 2 weeks ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

Jason Rice, says:

Sure, but can it really ever get old? As long as it pays so many bills to shout "racist" in a crowded firehouse, it will always draw a TV crew.

Verified

9 months, 2 weeks ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

Clay213, says:

How about we take side bets on which city councilor will join the chorus first?

Anonymous

9 months, 2 weeks ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

Jesus Valadez, says:

I want in on the pool. I'll give it two more weeks.

Verified

9 months, 2 weeks ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

c0ldgirl, says:

I'm for impounding the cars but not the driver responsibility fee added on top. It's a little strange I'm showing any compassion on this matter being that I just crashed on Tuesday while riding my motorcycle by an unlicensed and uninsured driver who left the scene. Witness got his plate, but that doesn't mean he'll pay for his mistakes. I want responsibility but the fee is overkill in my opinion.