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by mr_wildflower from Jefferson County

Last Post 2 days, 5 hours Ago


Prove It....!!
Sep 4, 2008 | 10:25 AM
Category: Traffic
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Simple oversight can be costly...!!

traffic1.jpg Traffic stop image by ArlingtonSheriff 

1. Insurance
According to Missouri driving laws all drivers in the state are required to maintain a liability policy, and you must carry proof of insurance with you at all times while driving. If you are stopped by an officer of the law and cannot show him or her proof of insurance, your license will be suspended for sixty days for the first offense, for one year for the second offense, and for two years for any subsequent offenses.

Just noticed the other day that my insurance card in my truck was expired and remembered that the new one was still on my desk with the rest of my important mail..... If pulled over I might have been at a great disadvantage with the current law that is on the books....  Living in the modern world of computers you would think that a cop could find out if you have insurance instantly when they run your plates.... Or maybe they already can and this is a cash generator.... They know everything else about you when they do... There are so many things that you can get a ticket for these days that I wonder how I have gone all these years without getting pulled over.... Rolling Stops.... Right on Red without coming to a complete stop.... The dreaded weaving..... Is weaving against the law..?? I have been stopped for it before..... Tail light out.... How are we supposed to know that..??  Don't forget the open container.... Empty beer can or not if it's open and even if it's laying in your back floorboard they can get away with giving you a ticket and will have cause to give you a field sobriety test.... So get that aluminum out of your car..... Make sure you have that insurance card for it can be a costly item if caught without it.......

Think maybe they are running the ship too tight ?

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Member Comments Total Comments: 14
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mr_wildflower read my blog view my photos
Sep 4, 2008 | 10:32 AM

I've always felt that Liability insurance should be on the driver and not the car... Any driver should have a liability policy put on them with an I D card in their wallet and the comprehensive coverage on the car.... That way a driver would have liability on anything that they may be driving.......

Figman will probably blast me on this.... lol
dwheeler6201 read my blog view my photos
Sep 4, 2008 | 11:32 AM

I don't think the officer can tell whether or not you have insurance. I used to work for an auto insurance company and I can tell you MANY people get insurance just long enough to get the plates. They get a policy that needs to be paid every 3 months or even monthly and then don't pay it. Even if someone has a current insurance card, it still doesn't mean the insurance is actually in effect.

I drove until about 2 years ago and I have never had a ticket, never been stopped and never had an accident. I actually started driving when I was 14, (in the city of St. Louis). I had an excellent teacher and I had him teach my children to drive. Only 1 of the 3 has had an accident, and she was hit by a drunk driver. Thankfully neither of them were going very fast, and they weren't seriously hurt.
dwheeler6201 read my blog view my photos
Sep 4, 2008 | 11:33 AM

What is going on with this site? I have noticed on other comments that sometimes a comment will show up 2 or 3 times.
AnswerMan read my blog
Sep 4, 2008 | 12:43 PM

I understand your concern and in Illinois, the "card" insures the vehicle.

If I don't have auto insurance on my own cars but drive your insured vehicle and wreck it - your automobile policy covers what I did.

As for not having your insurance card with you - this is easily expunged at your court date. You should have a wallet version and one that goes inside your vehicle along with registration information.

As for not knowing about a taillight etc - the cops usually give a verbal or written warning. Just remember that your attitude will get you in/out of a ticket.

Isn't it ironic though on numerous occasions you see the police officer cruising without a seat belt. Who gives them the no seat belt ticket?
mr_wildflower read my blog view my photos
Sep 4, 2008 | 2:38 PM

Most officers will just give you a warning about a taillight but there are a few that wont and use it as a reason to give someone the business.... And I agree that you can prove you have insurance in court but the fact that you have to go to court is costly enough especially if you have to miss work.... I forgot about seatbelts..... And how about the law that you must have your headlights on if wipers are needed..... Who draws the line or makes the judgement on that call.... If it is misting do you need wipers.......

Deb double posts happen to all of us..... I have seen them 5 times before.......
Speedy62269 read my blog
Sep 4, 2008 | 3:24 PM

What? Double posts never happen!
Speedy62269 read my blog
Sep 4, 2008 | 3:24 PM

What? Double posts never happen!
Sophia121 read my blog view my photos
Sep 4, 2008 | 4:42 PM

My headlights are on all the time so I'm good there. Can't even turn them off when cruising thru Winter Wonderland.
AnswerMan read my blog
Sep 4, 2008 | 4:53 PM

Just remember that your headlights on during the day are classified as "daytime running lights" and when it rains, you still need to turn on your headlights in most cases.

I have found on numerous occasions these cars with daytime running lights do not have their tail lights on.
Biker2Max read my blog
Sep 5, 2008 | 7:50 AM

You might get a copper having a bad day who'll write you for no insurance card. I was pulled over once with an expired card and the officer spoke with my agent direct confirming I was covered. I received only a written warning. They'll cruise behind you and run your tags then it'll have a flag if you've been known not to have insurance.
Jimmy-42 read my blog
Sep 8, 2008 | 5:57 AM

AnswerMan, in Illinois, it makes no difference if you have insurance or not as to whether you get fined. If you cannot show proof of insurance when an officer requests it, you are fined, even if you really do have insurance.

Now, on the flip side, just because someone who hits you has insurance doesn't mean that their insurance will pay, or will pay in a timely fashion. An intoxicated driver hit my legally parked car and had Yellow Key insurance. My insurance company had to actually go to court to get them to pay, which took about a year. In the meantime, I was out my deductible and some other out of pocket expenses for that duration.
Speedy62269 read my blog
Sep 8, 2008 | 6:11 AM

Jimmy-42: After reading what brainhead wrote and your response, you are both correct. Most officers know that if you do not have your insurance card on you they can write you a ticket BUT nearly all the time it'll be dropped by showing proof at your court hearing.

Therefore; most experienced police officers in Illinois will not waste time if they feel the person is telling the truth. They will however write a written warning covering their tail.

The problem in your 2nd paragraph scenario is the insurance company involved is not a big player rather gets those higher rate insured - covered.
rosie read my blog view my photos
Sep 8, 2008 | 7:24 AM

i know someone that they took their lisence and he had to show the proof of insurance to the dmv to get them back, it took 6 days to get them back from jeff city.. and lots of people get incsurance to get their plates so they dont have it at all... and another thing is people that let uninsured drivers drive their cars
MechanicGeorge read my blog view my photos
Sep 8, 2008 | 7:50 PM

It's simple folks, keep your car papers in order, check your lights often, and relise that the police can pull you over for anything.

I always drive as if I will get pulled over, and if and when I do, I show ultimate respect for the cop.

One should not take things personally when a cop pulls them over, somebody has to enforce the laws, speed,taillights,brakelights,those are all safety.

Until I had children I hated the seatbelt law, now that they are older and out of my sight sometimes I appriciate it.
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mr_wildflower

54, retired From Chrysler. Substitute school teacher, sell Real Estate and also D J and host Karaoke shows. Love to work out and play volleyball. Back surgery in 95 was a major setback, but have recently regained my competitive bowling skills. I see things in a third dimension.

Member Since: 12/20/2006


 

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