New electronic system cracks down on uninsured drivers

SAVANNAH - Georgia drivers who lack auto insurance won&#39;t be able to fool authorities when the state starts using its new electronic database. <br> <br> Beginning February first, police officers will be able to access insurance information through computers in their patrol cars by typing in vehicle identification numbers. <br> <br> The program, called the Georgia Electronic Insurance Compliance System, is designed to lower the number of uninsured vehicles on the roads by catching drivers who buy insurance and then cancel it after they receive their policy card. <br> <br> About 13 percent of motorists in Georgia are uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council&#39;s Web site. The national average is 14 percent. <br> <br> Chatham County police spokesman Sergeant Mike Wilson said it is one more tool to ensure that everyone who operates a vehicle maintains minimum insurance. <br> <br> Officers will check the database using the VIN to find out whether it&#39;s insured, much the same way that they can now pull up a vehicle&#39;s registration to see if it&#39;s stolen. Insurance companies, agents and any other insurers issuing or renewing a policy now are required to provide all insurance information to the state within 30 days after coverage begins. <br> <br> Created by a 1998 law, the database project has been plagued by numerous delays as officials tried to work out kinks in the system. They conducted their first test run in November and expect to have the system online and ready by February.