Editor,
Gov. Richardson's declared Year of the Child should include reducing the probability that our children will be killed on the road.
Richardson and the New Mexico Legislature have the power to help reduce the senseless injury and deaths of many men, women and children on the road.
Do they have the political courage and personal integrity?
Will they pass laws and mandatory penalties designed to change attitudes and establish a culture of responsibility and accountability on the road? Will they adopt a zero-tolerance approach to injury and death caused by New Mexico licensed drivers who refuse to insure themselves and their vehicles?
If they won't adopt a zero-tolerance policy, how many injuries and deaths annually caused by the most unaccountable drivers have they determined to be acceptable?
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They can save lives and money by following the example of other states such as North Carolina and Colorado.
The North Carolina General Assembly changed the law to require proof of auto liability insurance for not only vehicle registration, but also driver's license applications. This impacts all drivers and prevents high-risk drivers from opting out of the auto liability insurance requirement.
New Mexico does not require teenagers or anyone else to be listed on a liability policy for a New Mexico driver's license.
High-risk drivers in New Mexico don't pay for insurance, and they keep their license, while responsible citizens pay the cost for them. New Mexico is in the top 13 states for insurance costs yet in the bottom six for traffic density. Other states have safer roads and more licensed drivers paying into the insurance pool.
Colorado implemented a mandatory $500 fine for driving without insurance and a $1,000 fine and license suspension for the second offense. New Mexico has a $100 fine for driving without insurance. This is way below the cost of buying insurance and easily enables high-risk drivers to take a chance on being caught.
Between one-third and one-half of all New Mexican drivers are not listed on any insurance policy. New Mexico leadership allows this practice - we need our governor and Legislature to fix this now.
John Giblin
Daily Lobo reader
