Irving cracking down on uninsured drivers (Must read)

[TexasStooge]

By BERT LOZANO / WFAA ABC 8

IRVING, Texas - One North Texas city is implementing a zero-tolerance policy for uninsured drivers.

The state estimates about a quarter of all Texas drivers do not have the required insurance, so Irving police are getting tough. In an effort to get uninsured drivers off the road, the department is instituting a ticket-and-tow policy.

Beginning June 1, the cars and trucks of uninsured drivers could end up behind the gate of the city's impound lot.

C.J. Reyes came to Irving municipal court this week to pay a traffic ticket.

"I got into a car accident and I didn't have any insurance," Reyes said.

That leaves Reyes with a stiff $302 fine - a week's pay for the 18-year-old landscaper.

"A lot of people don't have enough money for insurance," he said. "A lot of times you pay more insurance then you pay for your car."

But uninsured drivers in Irving will soon have to add towing fees. P olice will begin to impound the cars of drivers who are stopped and have no insurance.

"Last year alone in Irving, we wrote over 19,000 no-insurance citations," said Irving police spokesman David Tull.

And many are repeat offenders who continue to drive without insurance.

"Compliance is what we are looking for," Tull said. "Before they can get their vehicle out of the impound lot they have to show coverage for that vehicle."

The costs add up. $302 for the ticket, plus a $55 towing fee and $10 for storage totaling $367. Compare that to $500 - the average cost of basic car insurance for a year - and Irving police said avoiding the towing hassle is worth the difference.

After paying his ticket, C.J. Reyes agrees.