AUSTIN (AP) - A pilot project found more than 25 percent of
Austin area motorists are driving without insurance.
Now that program has been expanded statewide to crack down on
millions of drivers who flout the Texas mandatory insurance law.
TexasSure makes it more likely that those without liability
insurance for their vehicles will get a ticket.
The TexasSure computer database matches the names of all insured
drivers and their insurance companies with their license-plate
numbers and VINs.
Law enforcement officers who stop drivers for a violation or
motorists involved in an accidents can enter their VIN or license
plate number into the TexasSure database to determine whether or
not they have insurance.
Fines can range from $125 to $1,000 and multiple offenders can
be arrested.
The program is funded with a $1 fee all Texans pay when renewing
their vehicle registrations.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)