Insurance Checkpoints Stop Uninsured Drivers in Their Tracks

Driving without car insurance just got riskier.

Across the nation, police are setting up insurance checkpoints at intersections, highway entrances and other well-traveled areas in an effort to crack down on uninsured drivers.

Similar to sobriety checkpoints, these checks require drivers to provide proof of car insurance along with a valid vehicle registration and driver’s license. And drivers in many areas of the country are already beginning to feel the effects.

William Mecke, Communications Director for the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, has been stopped at insurance checkpoints on several occasions. One costly encounter in Atlanta, Ga., stands out in his memory.

“I remember that time because I did not have a current insurance card with me,” he explained. “I had four or five older ones, but not the current one.” The police officer ran Mecke’s information through an electronic database and, even though it showed he was currently insured, he received a $42 ticket for failing to produce an insurance card.

“I call it a stupidity fine,” he said. “I did something stupid and I got to pay for it—in cash and time.”

For those caught driving without car insurance, the penalties are steep. Offenders could face vehicle seizure, driver’s license suspension and fees. In several states, drivers could face misdemeanor charges and jail time if caught driving without insurance. Offenders could be considered ‘high-risk’ and their car insurance rate could skyrocket the next time they purchase coverage.

As the number of unemployed Americans remains high, so does the number of uninsured motorists. But strict enforcement laws have yet to keep millions of motorists from hitting the roadways uninsured. Currently, one in seven motorists drives without car insurance—nearly 15% of all drivers nationwide. The Insurance Research Council estimates that the level of uninsured motorists could reach record-highs by 2010.

If you’re currently uninsured or need to reduce the cost of your policy, check out InsuranceRates.com. There, you can compare car insurance rates from several leading companies.