MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The Alabama Senate has voted to set up a computer database that would allow county tag officials and law enforcement to instantly check whether a vehicle has liability insurance.
The Senate voted 35-0 Wednesday for a bill by Republican Sen. Arthur Orr of Decatur. It would require insurance companies to provide electronic data to the state Revenue Department about which vehicles have liability insurance, which is mandatory in Alabama. The information would be compiled in a database, and county tag officials would verify that a vehicle owner had insurance before renewing a license plate. Police could also check for insurance after stopping a vehicle.
For Orr's bill to take effect, it still must be approved by the House and by the governor.
Orr says his bill is needed because national studies estimate that one-fourth of Alabama's motorists don't carry insurance. He said 28 states already use computer databases to check insurance.
Currently, motorists are supposed to be able to show proof of insurance, and the Revenue Department randomly selects motorists for periodic checks. Orr said some people buy insurance long enough to get the proof of insurance they need to renew their tag and then cancel the policy.
State Revenue Department spokeswoman Carolyn Blackstock said bill addresses the problem cited by Orr, and the agency supports his bill. "It would be a win-win situation for everyone, especially those drivers who are conscientious enough to maintain their mandatory liability coverage," he said.
State Farm insurance spokesman Davis Majors said the company had no opinion on Orr's bill.
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