LEE COUNTY: Unlicensed drivers are a problem that costs you money and puts your safety at risk. The NBC2 Investigators found out why so many people just ignore the law.

We went through law enforcement booking sheets for the month of January in Southwest Florida. We discovered 20-percent of the arrests were for driving without a license or on a suspended license.

Bob Marois was one unlicensed driver's victim.

"I stopped and I was trying to get out of the way when he backed out and hit me," said Bob Marois.

Marois did what any driver would do.

"I asked him for a license and at first he said no, and then he pulled out a Mexican driver's license," said Marois.

The driver was arrested.

We spent a day on the street with Collier County deputies as they arrested people like Emmanuel Reyes Hernandez - who was driving without a license.

Hernandez admitted to being in the U.S. illegally and driving to support his children.

"They have two choices: Not drive and go to work and lose their home, or support their children or simply drive. A lot of them drive," said defense attorney Donald Day.

Many violate the law time and time again.

Cornelio Garciasrosas, also an admitted illegal immigrant, has been arrested three times for driving without a license.

"Basically it's the same crime over and over and over," said Lieutenant Harold Minch of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

So who are these drivers?

NBC2 analyzed one day’s arrests for Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties.

In Charlotte County, everyone arrested for driving without a license or on a suspended license was an American citizen.

In Lee County, neither the sheriff's office nor Immigrations and Customs Enforcement could identify who was legal and who wasn't.

In Collier County, 59-percent of those arrested for driving without a license or on a suspended license were illegal immigrants.

Judge Mike Carr says illegal immigration is the root of the problem in Collier County.

"I think it's huge, it takes a huge amount of money and resources," said Carr.

Carr says until ICE deports the illegal immigrants driving without a license, the problem will only get worse.

"You almost have to commit a violent felony to have immigration do anything," said Carr.

While ICE wouldn't comment on camera, a representative says there's little proof this is an illegal immigration issue.

No matter what you believe, everyone agrees unlicensed drivers are a safety hazard.

"People that are not properly licensed are normally not properly trained. That's the big problem," said Minch.

Insurance companies and legal drivers are footing the bill.

"Sooner or later it affects you," said Jose Soto with State Farm Insurance.

Soto says if you get hit by someone without a license, they most likely won't have insurance either. That means your rates may go up.

"You're going to have to pay for your damages or your insurance company is going to have to pay for your damages," said Soto.

About the only way to protect yourself is to pay upfront by adding uninsured motorist coverage to your policy.

Either way, you will end up paying for someone else's negligence.

In the State of Florida, you can get insurance without a driver's license, but many companies still require one before they'll issue a policy. Therefore, many unlicensed drivers are also uninsured.

Story and video
http://www.nbc2investigators.com/articl ... =17701&z=5


I would appear that all the counties ask could answer the question of how many illegal immigrants are busted for driving without a D/L except Lee County. Seems someone needs to be a little more diligent in their record keeping. How do you fix a problem if you can’t tell you have one?