Automatic plate readers give false positives on uninsured motorists

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A prosecutor who leads a new program that includes automatic license plate readers says nearly 5 percent of vehicles flagged as uninsured in Oklahoma were identified by error.

The Oklahoma District Attorneys Council sent warning letters to at least 663 people who were subsequently able to verify their insurance coverage.

The Oklahoman reports prosecutor Amanda Arnall Couch says most errors can be attributed to owners failing to correctly register their license plate after purchasing a vehicle. Couch runs the Uninsured Vehicle Enforcement Diversion program, also known as UVED.

Beginning July 1, a new Oklahoma law will require a car seller to retain the license plate instead of giving it to the purchaser.

Couch says the change could significantly reduce the number of false positives generated by the system.