TEXAS – Texas State may average 22% for uninsured vehicles, but latest figures show that at least one out of four Texans, in most counties in the South Plains/Panhandle regions, do not have auto insurance.

To address such a disparity, the Texas departments of Public Safety, Motor Vehicles and Information Resources, and Insurance created an online state-wide insurance verification program called TexasSure, online at www.texassure.com, to lessen the number of motorists without insurance.

The same agencies have collaborated together to create a database connecting every registered vehicle in the state by its license plate, liability insurance policy and vehicle identification number. Through the program, tax assessors, collector and law enforcement officers will be enabled to verify the insurance status of any vehicle registered in the state.

In the South Plains/Panhandle region, state figures reveal that in Potter, Deaf Smith, Gray, and five other West Texas counties, at least 25% of vehicles are uninsured.

According to department spokesman Jerry Hagins, the figures exclude commercial vehicles since they are not yet covered by the online state-wide program.

Hagins also said that the state has begun sending letters to about 100,000 vehicle owners who are speculated to have insurance, but do not match records in registered insurance companies. After these specific owners are addressed, and their coverage status determined, the state will send a notification to car owners of an estimated 4.1 million vehicles without insurance. They will be warned that they violate state law and that minimum auto liability coverage will be required of them.

Hagins clarified that car owners who will receive this warning will not be asked why they do not have auto insurance, but that they will be give an alternative to rectify it.

Two years ago, state law required all automobile drivers to purchase at least liability insurance that includes coverage for damages and injuries caused by drivers.

Although TexasSure is still a new program, several law enforcement officers have expressed delight that this new system allows greater leverage in identifying whether a driver involved in an accident or is stopped in the middle of the road owns auto insurance or not.

State figures estimate that insured drivers in Texas shell out an additional $1 billion per year to avail of protection from uninsured drivers.

State officials are optimistic that this TexasSure program will prove effective even if some motorists weasel their way out by using fake proof-of-insurance cards or by availing of a month’s coverage so that they could renew their license plate number and corresponding registration requirement.

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While looking for ways to save money, many Americans may overlook their car insurance premiums.

That could be a costly mistake. Taking a few minutes to review and adjust your auto insurance policy could save you hundreds of dollars per year.

Saving on your car insurance is easier than you might imagine. Here are three ways to reduce your costs, as well as an estimate of potential savings based on the national median rate of about $1,400 per year reported by InsuranceRates.com. If you pay more than the median rate, you could save even more.

1) Take a hard look at your deductible. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), raising your deductible from $250 to $1,000 could reduce your collision and comprehensive coverage costs by up to 40 percent. You’ll incur higher costs should you need to file a claim, but the amount you’ll save on your premiums may be well worth it.

Estimated Savings: $170 per year

2) Combine your auto insurance policy and either home or renters insurance policy with a single insurer. According to the III, converting to a multiline policy could save you as much as 15 percent on your auto premium. Plus, you’ll have one fewer bill to pay each month.

Estimated Savings: $210 per year

3) If you can afford to, pay your auto insurance premium in one lump sum. Many insurers charge a fee to break up your premium into monthly payments, and even a few dollars a month could amount to a hefty surcharge.

Estimated Savings: $60 per year

In addition, make sure you shop around and speak with agents from several different companies. Insurance providers often specialize in different types of drivers, and depending on your personal circumstances, it’s probably worth your while to compare quotes.

To learn more ways to save and to compare rates online, visit www.InsuranceRates.com.

According to reports, US states are taking necessary measures to reduce the number of car accidents by eliminating all possible sources of distractions that contributes to drivers’ losing their focus while on the road. Missouri and Pennsylvania are two states that are currently in the process of preparing legislation that will ban the use of cell phones while driving. Experts predict that come next year, other states may follow suit and do the same, having lawmakers write laws regarding mobile phone usage while on the road.

Lawmakers in Missouri have started to file bills for the upcoming 2010 legislative session that is set to begin come January 6. According to reports, bills will focus on imposing a ban on all drivers from sending text messages while they are behind the wheel. State legislators believe that it is about time for them to do something regarding this growing concern on mobile communications, driving, and the number of road accidents in Missouri.

Last year, lawmakers from Missouri successfully imposed a ban on young drivers regarding their cell phone usage. 2008 saw drivers 21 years old and below being barred from sending text messages while on the road. Now, lawmakers are after older drivers. According to industry insiders, the state’s reaction regarding cell phone usage is quite effective, especially since instead of doing an all out ban, lawmakers focused on one particular age group at a time. Insurance analysts predict that by 2011, collisions and road accidents related to cell phone usage will decline significantly and can even be eliminated. Those who support the bills that will widen the scope of Missouri’s texting limitations strongly believe that texting while driving is very risky and hazardous that no driver should even think of doing it.

Alternatively, one of the largest cities in Northwestern Pennsylvania also has major plans regarding texting and calling restrictions for drivers. Last week, Erie City Council scheduled a public hearing that would discuss a potential ban on texting while driving and vote on a preliminary approval of the planned ordinance.

Reports say that Pennsylvania’s said ordinance included bans on calling and sending e-mails and text messages using cell phones by any person who is inside a moving vehicle. Even those who are riding a bike in the city will be included in this ban. Those who are caught violating planned provisions will be charged with a fine that ranges from $150 to $300. Experts agree with the state getting strict as motorists who are distracted by their communications gadgets have gained notoriety in the past year for causing serious accidents.

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State police in Kentucky are finding out all possible means to help eradicate Kentucky’s problem on underage drinking. This problem has long been plaguing young driver’s car insurance in the state. As Kentucky state police serves as the administrator for Underage Drinking Laws grant, it is the task of the organization to come up with projects for the youth and keep them sober while driving on roads and highways. State legislators are also looking into the problem to see if laws can be amended to help remedy this situation.

According to reports, meetings have been ongoing since first of December between police officials and other state authorities. Insiders say meetings focus on seeking projects that will utilize the funds provided by the Underage Drinking Laws grant and will significantly reduce rates of underage drunk driving. Planned projects include seminars, youth oriented projects, sports activities, and many others.

State Police Commissioner Rodney Brewer, said in a recent interview that enforcement of activities to lessen drunk driving among the youth must be held together with a series of information campaigns to make people completely aware of the hazards involved in underage drinking. Commissioner Brewer adds that people neglect that. While teenage drinking is already dangerous, the real hazard comes in when drunk young drivers go behind the wheel.

Reports compiled by the Administrative Office of the Courts in Kentucky show that last year, there were 3,067 DUI arrests for teen drivers between ages of 16 and 19. Insurance insiders say that the number of DUI cases in Kentucky constitutes approximately 36% of the total insurance claims in the state. With the already high car insurance premiums for young drivers, claims for DUI caused collisions triggered further hikes in premium rates.

Data from the Insurance Information Institute reveal that more drivers under the age of 20 drive after drinking as compared to more mature motorists. Experts say that young motorists in Kentucky are more susceptible to drinking without regard to the fact that they need to drive home. Insurance companies are worried that if nothing is done to remedy the current issues on drunk driving; insurance costs may increase in the years to come making it more difficult for consumers to afford them.

According to local motorist groups, they are taking part of the regular meetings conducted by state police officials and are very happy that the local government is now taking action regarding this said predicament.

Final reports from state officials will be released on January 15 for final review and possible implementation.

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The Insurance Information Institute has recently conducted a research that the use of mobile phones while driving on the road is starting to be a growing concern in certain states in the US. According to the results of the study, calling or texting while driving can be one of the greatest problems on US roads.

According to industry experts, almost all US drivers own a mobile phone, and all of them are prone to making and answering a call or sending and reading text messages while behind the wheel. Loosing focus because of being caught in an important call or being preoccupied reading long messages can be good enough reason for being involved in a collision. A study conducted a major insurance consultancy firm showed that majority of their respondents were professionals aged 30 to 50 and all of them use their mobile phones while driving. The result of the study showed that the respondents are willing to answer a call or immediately respond to an email or a text messages even if they are driving as they would not want to be reprimanded for not doing so, if the call or message is from their boss or a client.

With these in mind, local groups are worried that if the trends on mobile phone usage while driving does not improve, situations may be worse and may eventually show its effect on the number of car accidents. In Florida and New York, 7% of collisions were caused by drivers distracted while talking on their cellular phones. The rates for Pennsylvania are relatively lower at 5%.

An Insurance Information Institute representative said in a recent interview that they are targeting to release a mass promotional campaign on the fatal effects of motorists getting busy on cellular phones while driving. The organization estimates that the number of accidents resulting from mobile phone usage can go up during the holiday season. As Christmas gets near, people will be busy contacting family members and loved ones. Industry experts say that when a driver on the road received a call from a relative he hasn’t seen in years, the sudden rush of excitement can take over and there is a tendency for the driver to momentarily forget that he is currently driving. In that split-second that he forgets he’s on the road, a collision may have already taken place.

In addition to preventing cell phone use, there is strong support from the organization to fight motorists who hide traffic offences such as exceeding the speed limit in an effort to get cheaper insurance.

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