DMV hunts the uninsured

DMV hunts the uninsured

NORFOLK — Uninsured motorists beware. The state Department of Motor Vehicles is hot on the trail.

The DMV is using its new computer system to mail out 1,600 letters a day to registered motorists asking for each driver’s insurance company and policy number. Besides those randomly selected, letters are sent to people recently involved in accidents. Between September of last year and June 11, DMV’s program found 14,918 Virginia motorists without liability insurance.

Those who have received the letters and have no insurance, have a choice: pay a $300 fine or lose their driver’s license. So far, there have been a lot of fines, the DMV said.

About 212,000 of the 4 million registered drivers in the state drive illegally without liability insurance, the DMV said. State law requires minimum liability coverage of $25,000 for the injury or death of one person; $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people; and $10,000 for property damage. A motorist who does not want insurance may post a $60,000 bond with DMV.

State law requires liability insurance on any car with state tags, whether it runs or not.

Lottery slump expected

West Virginians are taking fewer chances in the second year of their state-sponsored lottery. That statistic gets contrasting readings by supporters and opponents of a proposed Virginia game.

The West Virginia lottery, which began Jan. 9, 1986, brought in $20 million for the state treasury during its first six months. But the rate fell 50 percent during the next nine months.

West Virginia lottery officials and supporters of a Virginia lottery say a second-year slump is normal. But lottery opponents say it is just one more reason to vote against the state-sponsored games in the Nov. 3 referendum.

“Nothing’s really going wrong,” said Ralph Peters, director of the West Virginia lottery. “Second-year slumps are expected in the lottery business.”