Prosecutor Newsletter
December 1999

Uninsured Motorist Database Available

Several legislative sessions ago there was a flurry of legislation aimed at the proliferation of uninsured motorists that drive daily on the state's highways As a result of those legislative efforts an Uninsured Motorist Database was established. Some weeks ago the folks who manage that database for the state approached. They explained that most peace officers are aware of and use the database, but that knowledge, understanding and use of the database by prosecutors is spotty at best. I suggested they prepare an article for The Utah Prosecutor explaining how the Uninsured Motorist Database works and how Utah's prosecutors can access and use the data contained in it. The following is the response to that suggestion. Ed.

The requirement for automobile insurance has been mandated by state government for several years, yet disregarded by a surprising number of licensed drivers. Uninsured motorists have caused untold anguish to responsible motorists, creating financial burdens for all concerned. Who has to take the responsibility of the uninsured motorist? We all do through increased insurance rates.

Insure-Rite Incorporated, an insurance verification services company, was formed to provide assistance to states wishing to reduce their uninsured motorists' problem. Insure-Rite's unique program not only pinpoints how extensive the problem is, it identifies those who are operating without proper insurance and finally provides law enforcement officers with the tools they need to execute the law.

Insure-Rite began as a result of 1994 legislation creating an uninsured motorist database. After four years of operation, Insure-Rite, Inc. provides empirical evidence on uninsured motorists by:

• Age bracket
• Type and Age of Vehicle.
• Statewide statistics.
• Each Municipal and County Government.

This data allows our government leaders to enact laws at the state and local level on real data. Our lawmakers can enact legislation that can readily impact the problem of

uninsured motorists.

The following graphs on the right demonstrate that:

• In 1995, of the 1,392,783 registered motorists, 322,898 were not insured.
• In 1999, of the 1,496.046 registered motorists, 139,395 are driving without insurance.
• Currently the uninsured motorist rate is 9.32% of all Utah drivers; compared to the more than 23% rate in 1995.
• Since 1995, the number of uninsured motorists has reduced by 183,503 or 60%.
• The change of being hit by an uninsured motorist in Utah has decreased in the last four years from a one in four chance to a one in ten chance.

Although this program has been very successful, responsible drivers are still concerned about the uninsured motorist. That is how we can help you—the prosecutor. We believe that you as prosecutors together with Insure-Rite, Inc. can become a successful team to prosecute and convict those who drive without insurance. As a matter of fact, we have teamed with Salt Lake City prosecutors in a number of cases. Salt Lake City prosecutor, Cheryl Luke reports that "In the few instances where an agent of Insure-Rite has been subpoenaed to testify, the data has not been challenged and convictions have consistently been awarded."

Upon receipt of a Record Request from the Prosecutor’s Office. Insure-Rite researches the insurance history of the vehicle in question to determine if the vehicle was insured on the date of violation. The information included on the Record Request and provided by the Prosecutor’s Office consists of:

• Date of Violation
• Defendant’s Driver License Number and Issuing State.
• Vehicle License Plate Number and Registered State.
• Vehicle Identification Number, Make and Year.

Research results are noted on the Record Request, documented and returned to the Prosecutor’s Office.