Dear Mahatma: My grandson was in a traffic accident in west Little Rock — not his fault! A number was done on his truck. Adding insult to injury, the other guy was uninsured. Adding more insult, he was from Texas. Someone in our family estimated that 30% of Arkansas drivers were uninsured. Can this be? — Granny
Dear Granny: Let’s stipulate that anytime your name gets uttered, our brain immediately jumps to Granny Clampett of “The Beverly Hillbillies.” This sitcom, which ran from 1962 to 1971, is under-appreciated for its tongue-in-cheek satire of modern American life.
Back to the matter at hand. It’s possible the family member with the wild estimate of uninsured motorists was bloviating through his hat.
Scott Hardin, who speaks for the Department of Finance and Administration, told us the current rate of uninsured motorists is a mere 8.7%. We acknowledge that “mere” is meaningless if you are the victim of an uninsured driver. This current rate is about half what it was three years ago, when it was 16%.
Let’s explain how Arkansas did it.
DF&A began its Online Insurance Verification System on Jan. 1, 2020, implemented via legislation from the General Assembly. Who says the Legislature is, um, an impediment to progress? Not us.
Two important changes, Hardin said:
First, drivers are now notified by letter if their insurance expires or is canceled. And are informed of the consequences of not having insurance, such as canceled vehicle registration.
Second, changes in coverage are reflected in the system in real time. Previously there was a delay that could have taken up to a week to accurately reflect insurance coverage.
This means that in traffic stops, police now answer, on the spot, that important question: Is you is, or is you ain’t, got insurance?
Here you go, O Great Mahatma. And not five minutes later! — Bryan.
Dear Bryan: Thank you for sending the photo of the nice BMW with the temporary plate that expired July 21, 2022. Temp plate number DA-317-579.
And not five minutes later, our correspondent sends along a photo of a Honda with an expired temp plate dated May 30, 2022. Temp plate number DA-384-974.
Switching topics: Everyone knows what “mansplaining” is. How about “wifesplaining?” That’s when the Fabulous Babe tells you to get some vanity plates in the newspaper.
Seen around town: HAWGGAL.
Seen downtown: FMLYGUY.
Seen on a Game & Fish plate with a big ol’ bass: FISHI.
Seen on a GMC Yukon: CR8TIVE.
Seen on an Infiniti: TAXLAWZ.
Seen on a cute, cream colored MINI Cooper: MYTMINI.
Seen on a GMC SUV: 17SCNTS.
Seen on a Subaru Outback: NKMLRAT. We are stumped by this one. Readers?
Traffic matters addressed for free at [email protected] Golf lessons are 5 cents.
