SPRINGFIELD, IL, May 9, 2007- enabling unlicensed immigrant drivers to get driver\u2019s certificates and auto insurance would create significant savings for Illinois motorists in insurance premiums, according to a report released by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR). The report, \u201cSafety and Savings: How Driver\u2019s Certificates Would Lower Premiums and Make Our Roads Safer,\u201d discusses the impact of unlicensed immigrant drivers on our state\u2019s public safety, and calculates the costs of preventing these drivers to get driving documents and insurance. It argues for the passage of HB 1100, the Roadway
\n Safety and Mandatory Insurance Coverage Act now before the State Senate, which would enable immigrant
\nmotorists to get driver\u2019s certificates and buy insurance.
\n\u201cWe have argued that HB 1100 would make our roads safer and benefit all Illinois motorists,\u201d said Illinois State Rep. Edward Acevedo, House sponsor of the bill. \u201cNow we have the numbers to prove it.\u201d
\nThe report estimates that there are approximately 250,000 unlicensed immigrant motorists in Illinois, motorists who are ineligible for driver\u2019s licenses in Illinois due to their immigration status. These unlicensed immigrant motorists make up 17.6% of Illinois\u2019 uninsured motorists.
\n\u201cThese are motorists who want to drive legally and get insurance, just like everyone else,\u201d said Fred Tsao, ICIRR policy director. \u201cBut unlike other uninsured drivers, these drivers would get insurance if they could, but they cannot because they cannot get licensed.\u201d
\nEnabling these motorists to get driving certificates and insurance would lower insurance premiums for all motorists. If 75% of all unlicensed immigrant motorists got certificates and insurance, Illinois drivers would save more than $83 a year on each policy. Even if only half got certificates and insurance, each motorist would save $45 per policy. \u201cIt just makes good common sense to get people who are on our roads into the insurance pool, so that they can help share the costs of keeping our roads safe,\u201d noted Kevin Martin, executive director of the Illinois Insurance Association.
\nUtah has been issuing certificates since March 2005. Approximately 37,000 Utah drivers have DPCs, including undocumented immigrants and holders of temporary visas. This number is out of approximately 50,000 undocumented motorists. No less than 75% of certificate holders have purchased insurance. \u201cUtah\u2019s program offers a successful example that Illinois can follow and even improve upon,\u201d Tsao commented.
\nHB 1100 passed the Senate Executive Committee last week, and is awaiting a vote in the Illinois Senate. \u201cThis legislation is necessary to protect all drivers,\u201d said the bill\u2019s Senate sponsor, State Senator Tony Mu\u00f1oz. \u201cIllinois roads would be safer for all if non-licensed drivers could get tested, get certified by the State, and get insurance.\u201d
\nThe Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights is a state wide coalition of 130 organizations dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees to full and equal participation in the civic, cultural, social, and political life of our diverse society.
\nFor more information on the Roadway Safety and Mandatory Insurance Coverage Act,
\ncall Lawrence Benito at 312.735.5310<\/p>\n
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