BILL SEEKS TO TOUGHEN INSURANCE LIABILITY LAW

JEFFERSON CITY -- In his new role as chairman of the House Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulations Committee, state Rep. Larry Thomason hopes to put teeth into Missouri's mandatory liability insurance law.

Thomason unsuccessfully has sponsored legislation to do so the past two sessions. But with his new committee chairmanship, Thomason has been able to move the bill as the committee's top priority.

Last week the Missouri House approved a House committee substitute by a margin of 147-4 that toughens the law. The substitute, sponsored by Thomason, includes parts of four bills that were sent to the committee for consideration.

Auto liability insurance is already required by state law, but there are a number of loopholes. Thomason said his bill attempts to close those loopholes and to impose automatic fines for people who do not have insurance.

Currently, when a person licenses a vehicle they are required to sign a paper stating they have insurance coverage; however, they aren't required to show proof.

Under Thomason's legislation, proof of insurance would have to be shown when a license is purchased. When a car is stopped by police for any reason, proof of insurance would have to be shown.

Failure to carry liability insurance is a Class C misdemeanor, and carries a mandatory $100 fine to the owner of the vehicle.

The second part of the bill deals with people who drive uninsured vehicles. Driving an uninsured vehicle is a Class A misdemeanor.

For a first offense they are fined $250, $500 for a second offense, and $750 for a third offense.

If an uninsured driver is involved in an accident, he can lose his license for up to five years or until he makes full restitution for the damage caused. To have a license reinstated, a $1,000 fee must be paid.

Thomason said a key part of his bill is recognition that driving is a privilege, not a right.

"We believe that by strengthening the mandatory insurance laws, we wil cut down on the number of accidents involving uninsured motorists and lower the rates of those people who currently have insurance," explained Thomason.

"When people abuse their privilege, they should have to pay. The people who comply with the law and have insurance have paid for those who do not long enough."