Missouri, Kansas among ‘Yellow’ States for Lack of Insured Drivers

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About 14% of Missouri and 10% of Kansas drivers might not have automobile insurance, according to a recent study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC).

Missouri, Kansas among ‘Yellow’ States for Lack of Insured DriversThe 2008 edition of ‘The Uninsured Motorists’ contained this reported data which was collected per state from 2005 to 2007. The IRC calculated the figure of those without auto insurance by means of computing the ratio of insurance claims made by persons who were injured themselves by uninsured car owners to the claims by persons who were caught in an accident with insured car owners.

Nationwide, this same study said that about 14% of drivers do not have auto insurance.

In 2007 estimates, the study singled-out the top five states with the highest incidences of non-ownership of auto insurance: New Mexico, 29%; Mississippi, 28%; Alabama, 26%; Oklahoma, 24%; and Florida, 23%. Massachusetts, with 1%, had the lowest estimate.

The study also speculated that things may get worse this year. This is because there are anticipated financial difficulties in the economy which will most likely drive up insurance premiums. As a result, fewer and fewer drivers may not be able to afford insurance at all. The spike in the rate of unemployment, according to this study, corresponds with a slight increase in the rate of uninsured drives of an almost equal amount.

The IRC said that this current rate of employment is used as a basis of projection, 16.1% is the anticipated increase of uninsured car owners this year in comparison to the 13.8% figure in 2007.

Meanwhile, Kansas was given a yellow caution flag rating by the Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety (AHAS), a nonprofit organization. The organization rated how well US states complied with the 15 model safety laws laid down in their report.

Though improvements in the state’s highway safety rules were noted, AHAS gave 8.5 points. Eight points was awarded to Kansas last year. The group awarded one-point for each law which adheres to the model laws.

AHAS vice president, Jackie Gillan, concedes that there is no state in the nation which has implemented all 15 laws. The District of Columbia has the highest rating with 13.5, given a green flag rating. South Dakota, given a red rating, has the lowest score with three points.

Since January 1, Kansas implemented a graduated driver’s license system for 16 year olds. In their first six months, night-time driving, cell phone use, and number of passengers in a vehicle are restricted.

However, Kansas does not have a primary seatbelt law which would enable traffic enforcers to stop drivers who drive without wearing a seatbelt.