A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DIRECT THE APPROPRIATE INTERIM COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THE ISSUES SURROUNDING UNINSURED MOTORISTS.

WHEREAS, the Mandatory Financial Responsibility Act requires owners of motor vehicles to possess the means to pay damages arising out of any motor vehicle crash for which they are responsible, either through proper self-insurance or through the purchase of a liability insurance policy; and

WHEREAS, the insurance research council studied the issue of uninsured motorists between 1995 and 1997 and found that thirty percent of New Mexico's drivers were uninsured during that period; and

WHEREAS, law-abiding, responsible drivers bear the costs of uninsured drivers by paying higher insurance premiums and not being properly compensated when they are the victims of uninsured drivers; and

WHEREAS, personal economics may be one reason that some drivers do not purchase automobile liability insurance; and

WHEREAS, the legislature and the state of New Mexico have tried various means, with limited success, to reduce the number of uninsured motorists on New Mexico's roads;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to direct the appropriate interim committee to study the issues surrounding uninsured motorists and to report its findings and recommendations, if any, to the second session of the forty-sixth legislature; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council.