On the subject of “Unlicensed Drivers” and/or “Driving On A Suspended License”…the facts may surprise you:

The Stats of Motorists Who Drive on a Suspended License:

50-75% of drunk drivers whose licenses are suspended continue to drive.

32% of suspended second time offenders and 61% of suspended third time offenders received violations or were involved in crashes during their suspensions.

Generally, unlicensed drivers are 4.9 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than properly licensed drivers.

Note: At a driver safety lecture for the city, the instructor (a
retired CHP officer) gave us the statistic that 40% of motorists don’t have insurance.

Due to these facts…ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you have “uninsured” motorist coverage on your driver’s insurance policy? Make sure you have a lot of coverage – especially medical coverage.

2. If you lend a car to a friend, did you check to make sure he or she actually has a driver’s license, and that it hasn’t been suspended?

Note: The above points out that as a driver the important need to be very alert behind the wheel as we drive. Be especially careful at intersections where our most serious-deadly crashes occur. Slow down for intersections…and while sitting at a red light and you get a green light “hold it” – before entering that intersection check to be sure all drivers who got the RED have stopped.

At STOP Signs: Where you have stop signs – watch for “stop sign runners” as well. Many drivers have gotten use to “glancing and rolling” instead of “stopping and looking”. The next time you stop and look – you may have also just saved yourself from $300 plus ticket for running a STOP sign…but more important, you may have just avoided a collision.

A message from safety educator Monica Zech, El Cajon Fire Department

Safety Lecture? Contact Ms. Zech at (619) 441-1615.