Topic: Ohio Suspended License Laws

[oakiehigh]

These incidents involving people that SHOULD NOT EVEN BE BEHIND THE WHEEL are really happening ALOT around the state.   My Uncle was in a wreck recently where the driver of the other vehicle lost control on a wet road and crossed the double yellow into the path of my uncle.  The other driver was killed instantly, and come to find out he was driving under a suspended license in his girlfreinds UNINSURED car.  My uncle owns his own business and has been in a legal fight with his own insurance company over how to recoup the cost incurred to him and his family. 

So what do you do when your own state laws work against you ALONG with the insurance industry?

Push to toughen Ohio suspended license laws
http://www.fox19.com/global/story.asp?s=9361557
Posted: Nov 17, 2008 08:21 AM EST
Updated: Nov 17, 2008 08:21 AM EST

 
CINCINNATI (AP) - Some judges and prosecutors say it's time to strengthen Ohio's laws governing unlicensed drivers, especially as the number of people driving without a license grows.

Almost 12 percent of Ohio drivers are under suspension, or more than one in every 10 drivers, according to a review of state data by The Cincinnati Enquirer. That's up 40 percent since 2000.

[327]

I actually think we're a little quick to suspend people's licenses already.  In a world unfortunately built around driving, no it isn't a privilege.  It's an exclusive means of survival.  If it is a privilege then so is eating.  Between sprawl and poor transit, many residents of Ohio would be doomed economically if unable to drive.  I'm all for undoing sprawl and rebuilding transit networks right away.  But until that's done, it is not feasible to survive without driving in most of Ohio.

[GCrites80s]

Losing your license really makes you think about what a mess our lives have become due to the lack of non-automotive options.

[Jskinner]

I've been seeing more and more of the yellow license plates with red lettering.  They mean that you have been convicted of a DUI.  Does anyone know how long you must keep driving with the yellow plate?

[Blue Line]

^I think it's one year, but someone could tell you otherwise.

[Sherman Cahal]

Interesting, I wondered about that as well,

[oakiehigh]

From NKY.com

Uninsured hike costs for others
One crash victim says law too lenient
By Jim Hannah • jhannah@enquirer • December 1, 2008
http://nky.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20081201/NEWS0103/812010334

COVINGTON - Kevin Murphy was stopped at a red light in Edgewood this fall when a truck ran into the back of his vehicle.

The Northern Kentucky lawyer was injured and required physical therapy.

The driver of the truck had no insurance.

[Blue Line]

Well, I think there should be stricter penalties for illegals, period.  This is a perfect example of a need for it.

[Master]

The problem is that the laws are made by people who were born, raised and still have silver spoons in their mouths.

The problem isn't how strict the laws are, it's who the laws are strict on. They are too strict on people who they shouldn't be strict on at all and not strict enough on people who should be boiled in oil.

Example: Person A has three DUI's and gets 90 days in jail.

Example B: Person B has no points on his license, no DUI's but lets his insurance lapse one month so he could afford to pay his mortgage and keep a roof over his family's head, gets a letter in the mail suspending his license because his SSN came up in the lottery. Wow! He works in Cleveland and lives in Canton so he gets stopped on the way to work Driving on a suspension. Does anyone really expect this guy not to drive to work so he can pay his bills? His family is counting on him. What's the solution? Give him even more fines, another suspension, put him in jail for a while so he can loose his job. Don't get me going on this. It's horrible and ridiculous.

Anyone with a Suspended License for a Non Moving Violation or DUI should be given another chance, under condition they are continually monitored to show proof of insurance. That way, the tax dollar sucking jails would be much less crowded, the number of drivers under suspension would be cut by at-least two thirds and people could pay their mortgage instead of worrying about paying Fines and Reinstatement Fees. They could make it to work on time, as well and increase productivity. This is a huge problem that isn't designed for safety or to keep insurance prices low. They are bringing up this problem because Ohio is facing a huge deficit and this is big, big, money for the state government, who runs the BMV. I hope everyone wakes up on this!