Hey LEOs - Mandatory Auto Insurance

[underceej]

So, I've got some school work to do, a persuasive speech to be exact.

So, ....how about some LEO advice and perspective is what I'm after.

My persuasive speech (for WA State) is a staged audience (being a committee for the WA State Legislature). My topic is this......

Changing current violation standards of the Mandatory Auto Insurance Law from a 'traffic infraction' to a 'gross misdemeanor'.


So, MEP & crew (not sure who else is on this board right now).....

1) How does this affect your job?
2) Do you see more accidents from uninsured motorists?
3) Is there discretion applied to whether you ticket/warn an uninsured motorist?
4) What is your opinion on changing 'uninsured motorist' violation from an infraction to a misdemeanor?


Thanks...
.cj

[MEP1000]

So, I've got some school work to do, a persuasive speech to be exact.

So, ....how about some LEO advice and perspective is what I'm after.

My persuasive speech (for WA State) is a staged audience (being a committee for the WA State Legislature). My topic is this......

Changing current violation standards of the Mandatory Auto Insurance Law from a 'traffic infraction' to a 'gross misdemeanor'.


So, MEP & crew (not sure who else is on this board right now).....

1) How does this affect your job?
2) Do you see more accidents from uninsured motorists?
3) Is there discretion applied to whether you ticket/warn an uninsured motorist?
4) What is your opinion on changing 'uninsured motorist' violation from an infraction to a misdemeanor?


Thanks...
.cj

1.would create more paperwork
2.I'd say accidents are 65% insured/35% uninsured give or take a couple
3.Discretion no. I'm not willing to loose my job because I didn't write the ticket and tow them for driving uninsured. Lots of uninsured also are suspended by the way.
4.I for one don't think it would work. There are lots of misdemeanors now that the DA"s office treat as violations. I believe this would be added to the list.