My Rant: Ticket for not providing proof of insurance

[tridim]

Ok, ok.. I know it's technically illegal to not carry your insurance card while driving, but here's the problem. I was pulled over about a month ago for no reason (I had words with the officer, but he just ignored me). I didn't have my current insurance card with me simply because I hadn't moved my new card from my files to my glove box. So I get a 4 point ticket and a court date which was today. I went to court for my 8:30am appointment, canceling a very important meeting at work. I then spent two hours sitting next to a stinky smoker who was there for his third DUI. After two grueling hours my name is called, I go to the DA, give them my current insurance card, he checks off a form and says I'm free to go. It took all of 10 seconds.

WHY, WHY, WHY isn't car insurance computerized? There is no reason I had to go through this process at all IMO, they should be able to verify insurance with the computer in the police car. I figure this whole ordeal cost the taxpayers about $300 (the cop's time, the processing, the paperwork, and the DA's time), not to mention my lost time. I told the DA that I wasn't happy and that this was a complete waste of time and money. He apologized. Maybe I'm overreacting, but this whole ordeal really pissed me off.

[BlueEyedSon]

1. You sure you couldn't have mailed in your proof?

[tridim]

4. As far as I know

I asked the cop if I had to go to court and he said yes. I guess he could have lied, because this was after I yelled at him for pulling me over for no reason. There wasn't any fine print on the ticket saying I could avoid court. I'm a newbie, never had to go to court in my entire life.

[afraid_of_the_dark]

2. Our efficient justice system at work.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. I don't know about where you live...

But here in NJ, it IS computerized. The thing is, that card thing is just another way for them to maintain a revenue stream, so it stays.

Don't ever, ever lose sight of the fact that police serve a very useful function in our communities: as revenue collection agents. That is how they justify their existance at budget time. All the flowery words are just that. Flowery words.

[RebelOne]

5. Wow, what state are you in?

I was pulled over for running a red light and I was so flustered that I couldn't find my insurance card. Well, the nice policeman didn't give me a ticket for the red light, but he did give me a ticket for not having proof of insurance. Well, naturally, later that day, I found my insurance care behind my health insurance card in my wallet. I went to court and paid a $46 fine with no points on my license.

[tridim]

7. Colorado

I didn't get a fine, or points. So that part worked out fine.

[MissMillie]

6. In MA

You have to provide proof of insurance only once.... at the time you register your vehicle.

If your insurance is cancelled at any time, the insurance company notifies the Registry of Motor Vehicles and also notifies the Registry if and when it is re-instated.

[adriennel]

8. wow, which state?

I was stopped in MI and got a ticket for "no proof of registration" when obviously the cop could easily find out if my vehicle was registered. Anyway, I just had to take the ticket and proof of regisration to the courthouse, show it to a clerk, and that was all--ticket gone, no charge. Too bad you had to pay for that nonsense! It's frustrating.