New Bill Would Increase Tracking of Uninsured Motorists
The Tennessee senate has approved a new bill that would reduce the number of uninsured motorists in the state by establishing an online verification program. Known as the “Ketron bill,” Senate Bill 648 is aimed at helping the Tennessee Financial Responsibility Law by focusing on the uninsured drivers across the state. The goal of the new law is to reduce the number of uninsured drivers and increase the penalties for operating on the state roadways without the proper insurance.
Tennessee Accidents Involving Uninsured Motorists
According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, about 40,000 traffic accidents happen every year across the state involving uninsured motorists. The rate of uninsured motorists is between 23 and 24%. Current Tennessee law requires every driver to have a driver’s license, vehicle registration, and automobile insurance. Unfortunately, the law does not presently provide for an online verification system to track the insurance requirement.
Ketron Bill System
The bill will create an online tracking system for auto insurance in Tennessee. The program will track insured and uninsured motorists in the system. If a driver is found to be without auto insurance, notice will be sent to the driver that will allow for a 15-day window to provide proof of insurance or exemption. However, if there is no response a second notice will be sent that gives a 30-day window to provide proof of insurance.
If a driver fails to provide proof of insurance it will result in a $25 fee for the first notification and a $100 for the second notification. The bill also increases the fine for failure to provide proof of insurance from $100 to $300. Finally, if a driver fails to provide proof of auto insurance to a police officer, the officer is allowed to tow the vehicle. Currently, 46 other states have a similar system of tracking uninsured motorists online. The purpose of the bill in Tennessee is to make the streets safer and save lives in the process.
The Ketron bill passed the House of Representatives previous to it passing in the state Senate. According to a legislative press release, “This is one of the most significant bills passed in the last 40 years to affect automobile insurance. It will allow for the enforcement of Tennessee’s Financial Responsibility Law with a real-time system of auto liability policy verification to protect the public on our state’s roads. Those who have been involved in a car crash with uninsured drivers know how devastating that can be financially, particularly when there are injuries.”
Contact a Tennessee Lawyer Today
Uninsured motorist accidents cost the victims and insurance companies millions of dollars in damages every year in Tennessee. If you or someone that you know has been injured in an accident with an uninsured motorist in the Nashville area, let the experienced lawyers at Calhoun Law, PLC help. We will protect your rights throughout each step of the way.
