They wonder whether the number of insurance scofflaws could be decreased by increasing fines, lengthening suspension periods and other measures.

Sen. Lane Beattie, R-West Bountiful, said all Utahns would see their insurance rates drop if the state could reduce the number of uninsured vehicles..

"We have to make the decision of whether we condone (driving without insurance) or not, because we all pay for it," said Sen. Joe Hull, D-Hooper.

The idea of increasing penalties surfaced Tuesday as legislators met to discuss a report on the state's system of tracking uninsured motorists.

The Legislative Auditor general report suggests the state might reduce the number of uninsured drivers by making it more painful not to have insurance.

According to Insure-Rite Inc. the company that tracks Utah's insured motorists, about 9 percent, or 120,000 cars and trucks, have no coverage.

Insure-Rite gathers data monthly from insurance companies and checks that against vehicle registration records. The system allows public-safety officers to check the database in their cruisers by computer.

Drivers who have no insurance or no proof of insurance can be cited with a class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Other possible punishments include loss of an operator's licencse, suspension of vehicle registration and other penalties.

10/4/97