City of Dallas to Begin Towing Uninsured Drivers

Patricia is a single parent in Dallas who, like most in today's economy, has to watch every dollar. That task became more difficult when she was broadsided by a car while stopped at a North Dallas stop sign recently. The driver, who had temporary paper license plates, then sped away, leaving Patricia with a $1000 insurance deductible payment to get her car fixed. It's an all-too-familiar scenario, often because those hit-and-run drivers are uninsured. "It's not fair to those of us who abide by the law," she said. "I know too many people who have been hit by uninsured drivers and are stuck having to fix the repairs themselves."

In an effort to combat this growing problem, the Dallas City Council recently passed an ordinance that would allow the city to tow any uninsured motorist found driving on Dallas streets. Until now, only uninsured drivers involved in accidents would have their car towed. Under the new ordinance, police making any kind of routine stop can have the car towed to the city lot if they find it is uninsured. Officers will also have the option not to tow a car if it leaves a driver or their children in a dangerous situation.

According to Dallas City Councilmember Linda Koop, who chairs the city's Transportation and Environment Committee, the new ordinance will benefit all who travel Dallas' streets. "Uninsured drivers affect everyone on the road," she said. "Especially when you are in an accident with a driver with no liability, you and your insurance company end up paying for it."

Opponents argued that the ordinance would unfairly target the poor and minorities, but proponents countered that the poor are just the drivers the ordinance would help, as they could least afford to lose their transportation due to enormous car repair bills. "It can really affect a single parent who is in a wreck and has to pay $1000 just to get their car fixed," Councilmember Koop said. Patricia, who is Hispanic, agrees. "Having to pay for repairs myself is a definite strain. If that law had been in place today, that driver may not have even been on the road."

The ordinance will not take effect until January 1, when a statewide database will be in place for police to properly look up drivers and confirm insurance coverage. It's an important tool to insure the ordinance is properly enforced. It will also ease the minds of many Dallas drivers, like Patricia, who are concerned about uninsured drivers on local streets.