Montgomery Police to Begin Towing Uninsured Drivers in Wrecks
Starting February 1st, your car will be towed if you don’t have liability insurance in addition to your license and registration, if you’re involved in a wreck.
The biggest criticism of the towing ordinance is that it’s too expensive for people to buy liability insurance. But when you add up all the fines you’ll have to pay now–not having it could cost you even more.
State law already requires you to have a driver’s license, liability insurance, and vehicle registration before you get behind the wheel. This city ordinance takes that a step further.
Larry Caver works in Montgomery and says he supports the ordinance. He says he was involved in a wreck with an uninsured driver several years ago. “It was a very inconvenient situation, when you’re trying to get back to your normal capacity with a car, and so I do think everybody needs insurance, and if that’s the case, then, you know, the law probably is good,” he said.
Still, not everyone thinks towing is the answer.
“If they can’t afford insurance, then they can’t afford to get their car out of impound,” said Janice Smith.
If your vehicle is towed, it will cost you a $200 fine, plus $25 for each day your vehicle is in impound. that’s in addition to a traffic citation. to get your vehicle back, you’ll have to prove you have insurance.
“When i had my car, insurance was 80 to 100 something dollars, just for liability, ad if you don’t have a job that you can spare that much, every month, it does stack up and it does, you know, it causes an issue,” Smith said.
But Montgomery Police say it’s part of the cost of driving.
“If you say, well i can’t afford car insurance-then you can’t afford to own a vehicle. You can’t afford all the things that come with being a responsible driver and to pay for those things, and that is the law,” said Montgomery Police Chief Kevin Murphy.
The ordinance does not apply to normal traffic stops, so right now your car won’t be towed unless you’re in a wreck, but you will still have to pay a ticket if you’re caught without insurance.
City leaders say the towing ordinance will not generate any additional money for the city.
