In the public debate on photo enforcement, hiding civil violations caught on statewide photo-radar systems from driving records is one provision that needs to be addressed.

Auto insurers believe it goes against public safety and economic fairness. It allows frequent speeders on state roads to avoid the significant consequences of reckless driving that are applied to other drivers receiving violations in local jurisdictions in Arizona.

Those civil violations, which are the vast majority of state photo enforcement citations, will not be part of that individual’s driving record as auto insurers assess their insurance risk (criminal violations, 20 mph over posted speed limits, are reported and included on the violator’s driving record). One’s true driving record and behavior behind the wheel is an essential factor that insurers apply in determining what premiums to charge for auto-insurance coverage.

Mask these civil sanctions, and the person with multiple violations reduces the accuracy of driving records available for auto-insurance underwriting. As a result, high-risk drivers will pay less for coverage than they should, and low-risk drivers will pay more.

Neither public safety nor economic fairness is achieved by masking the ticket violations of people who should be held accountable for their dangerous and risky driving behavior.

RON WILLIAMS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
ARIZONA INSURANCE COUNCIL