Red light cameras now check for insurance, too
Filed under: Insurance, Technology, Transportation
Drive without insurance? Then you'd better stay out of Ohio, where the state is considering a program that uses red-light cameras and insurance company databases to check passing traffic for uninsured motorists. The system would use license plate numbers to verify driver insurance. According to the Columbus Dispatch, officials in Chicago, who are considering the same system, from InsureNet of Novi, Michigan, think that such a program could generate $200 million in additional revenue for the Windy City. When the system identifies an uninsured motorist, the driver would be sent a letter instructing him to take care of the problem. If he doesn't, a fine will soon follow. In Ohio, that fine is $125 for a first offense, $300 for a second and $550 for a third.
The system is already being provided to law enforcement, free of charge, so even those uninsured drivers who managed to dodge the cameras can be busted if they catch the attention of a local gendarme. The system can also provide them lien reports in real time.
I'm all for requiring drivers to carry insurance, but I'm not pleased by the prospect of insurance company databases being opened for InsureNet's searches. I can see how this would be a good deal for the insurance companies, because it will drive business their way. For the general public, however, this feels like another step toward a Big Brother future.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 14)
6-29-2009 @ 5:33PM
PhotoEnforced.com said...
Seems very conceptual to me and will be curious to see how it plays out in Ohio. There are lots of issues using this as a method to prosecute let alone raising your insurance as a result. We have 5,000 camera locations and growing at http://www.photoenforced.com
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 3:35PM
Simzee said...
I hope they keep these in Ohio. Try paying at least 3 grand a year in NJ for the "cheapest" car insurance. But then again....NJ would even tax the snow that falls.
7-02-2009 @ 4:07PM
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7-02-2009 @ 4:25PM
Niki said...
They should be thankful. In TX if youre found driving without insurance, the officer can impound your car. The reason insurance cost so much is because of all the uninsured motorists, which is retarded because if all you have is liability because thats all you can afford due to these costs, whats going to happen when these jerks hit you? You going to pay to take them to court? You going to get anything if you win? These are the same scumbags that claim bankruptcy and the state lets them keep their car!
7-03-2009 @ 12:22AM
Shirl said...
This is just the beginning! Remember when the lights were to only catch red light runners? Now it's Insurance and what's next? My place of employment and home address as well?
This is definitely against my rights as a US citizen and I DO NOT like it! Once it's ok'd there, it'll be in every state! Don't we pay enough city taxes already and what'd they do, get greedy due to the money the government gave them for bail outs????
More - more - more, money - money - money, when does it ever stop!!!
7-03-2009 @ 1:45AM
Dave Pawson said...
simzee! Don't give them any more ideas! Believe me, they WILL tax the snow.
6-29-2009 @ 7:00PM
mage0213 said...
I see lawsuits coming out of this: the right against unreasonable search and seizure.. also just one time that someone gets ticketed for no insurance who HAS insurance.. that person will be a millionaire 9at public expense unfortunately, but a milliaonaire none the less.. I recommend OHIO-- abandon this before it bites you in the A$$.. I have been pulled over dozens of times just because the cop was checking insurance, I always had insurance, PennDot screwed up and had I ever gotten a ticket I would have sued PennDot for the inconvenience not to mention the embarrassment of being pulled over in front of my neighbors.. fortunately the police were smart enough to NOT write out a ticket.. in this case.. yeah, go ahead, harrass me ohio, I beg you to send me a ticket through the mail.. I WILL OWN YERA$$E$
Reply
7-02-2009 @ 10:22PM
sue said...
This is NOT unreasonable search and seizure. The law demands that drivers have insurance--liability at the very minimum. No ifs, ands or buts. If someone is "caught" without it, they should have their dang vehicle confiscated, impounded and otherwise disposed of.
7-03-2009 @ 12:10AM
tweaks said...
well do you have proof of insurance. you are required to carry your insurance card in the vechile at all times. I would love this here in VA.. it is not unathorized search and seizure. what the cops did to you could be considered that. you know how much unisured motorist we have out there. what if yougot into a accident and the other motorist sped off b/c they did not have insurance. or if they stayed and still didnt have any. them checking if you do have insurance will not drive up the price of insurance, only you having accidents or getting tickets will.
6-30-2009 @ 2:09PM
Dion said...
We are living in an Orewellian nightmare. Say goodbye to your privacy, and all of your rights. The Constitution is dead.
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 3:51PM
Mark said...
Tell me about it. I got a ticket already at one of these redlights in LA. It was unavoidable not to stop but the camera didn't catch a shot of the guy behind me that would have run into me if I had stopped. You have to take a day off of work to fight it and if you lose you also have to pay court costs. They are not done yet. They already have speed cameras setup on poles too. These services are all contracted so somebody is getting rich on top of the fine revenue for the city or state. Take a look around. Cameras are everywhere. Sure they have been used for good like tracking criminals, but once it starts.......where do they stop?
6-30-2009 @ 4:31PM
unkeljack said...
Your right. Bush burned it.
7-02-2009 @ 4:08PM
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7-02-2009 @ 4:25PM
Tim said...
All of a sudden I'm glad that I'm old and had the real freedoms that we all enjoyed in the 60's & 70's
7-02-2009 @ 4:27PM
kat said...
you can say that again ,,,
7-02-2009 @ 6:54PM
shell said...
unavoidable not to stop???
ok you see a traffic light up the road no matter what color you slow a little just in case, it turns yellow (which means to stop if possible not go faster)you start coming to a slow stop which gives the people behind you time to know your going to stop.
7-02-2009 @ 9:29PM
aircav61 said...
When it comes to corporations,yes,we ARE in Orwellville. Whatever it is,Big Oil,Big Pharma.,Wall St.,the credit sharks...this gov't rolls over and gives it to them,no matter WHO is in charge! Of course,we REALLY got sold out by the last Administration/Congress,but hey,it's early yet!
6-30-2009 @ 2:21PM
dr moncure said...
Big brother is at it again. How unamerican has our country become?
Reply
7-02-2009 @ 5:58PM
Dale said...
It's Big Brother I worry about... it's my idiot neighbor!
6-30-2009 @ 2:22PM
jbjg24m said...
guy down the street from me drives a little green car that was totaled and fixed and has no insurance at all on it!
Reply