Idaho traffic violators will be able to show electronic proof of insurance, via smartphone app or PDF copy, as of July 1. This legislation (SB 1319) comes at a time when states are trying to save time and money on law enforcement.
Americans were stopped more than 56 million times last year for traffic violations. For each stop (except those in New Hampshire and Tennessee) violators had to show proof of insurance. But if violators couldn't produce the proper documentation, they were slapped with a court date.
Politicians hope the bill, which was unanimously approved by the Idaho Senate and had only one dissent in the House, will save the state money by cutting down the number of court dates resulting from misplaced insurance cards.
Idaho joins California and Colorado where pro-electronic insurance laws already are in place. Later this year Alabama and Arizona are slated to pass similar laws. Mississippi and Maryland also may consider legislation in 2012.
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