County commissioners support effort to get uninsured motorists off the road

August 14, 2011 11:10 PM


Michael Barrett



Gaston County leaders are backing a new tactic to catch uninsured motorists with the hope that they could also address illegal immigrants who get behind the wheel.

County commissioners say the prototype for the measure they’re pushing is an ordinance recently passed in cities such as Dallas, Texas. It dictates that if a driver is pulled over by police for a violation such as speeding, or any other valid reason, and is unable to provide proof of insurance, their car may be towed and eventually impounded.

To retrieve it, the vehicle owner must provide proof of insurance, and also foot the cost of the tow, pay a fine of several hundred dollars and a fee of $20 for each day the car sat in the tow lot.

When Commissioner Joe Carpenter first heard about the strategy, he said it seemed to make sense. Statistics have shown that a large number of motorists operate vehicles without insurance, and when those drivers are involved in wrecks, second parties and their insurers are often forced to shoulder the financial burden, with no recourse, he said.

“Our main focus was on the uninsured motorists aspect of it,â€