Press Release- Dec. 23, 2014
Delaware Senate Majority Caucus
For immediate release
Contacts: Jesse Chadderdon (302) 744-4282 or (302) 743-0945
Delaware Senate Majority Caucus
For immediate release
Contacts: Jesse Chadderdon (302) 744-4282 or (302) 743-0945
Task Force: Make Delaware’s roads safer by implementing driving-privilege cards for undocumented motorists
Delaware should implement a system that enables undocumented residents to drive lawfully upon meeting all the same requirements of licensed drivers, according to a report issued today by the Undocumented Motorist Safety and Insurance Task Force.
Such a system would make Delaware’s roadways safer, and would give accident victims more recourse when they’re in a collision with an unlicensed driver. The Task Force report urges the General Assembly take up legislation that would give undocumented residents an opportunity to purchase insurance and pass driving assessments, both requirements for licensed drivers who operate a motor vehicle in the First State.
“The Undocumented Driver Task Force was established to discuss a very real modern problem of safety and equality,” said Division of Motor Vehicle Director Jennifer Cohan, who served on the Task Force. “Many voices were brought together for an open and honest dialogue. I am very pleased to know that the work of all the members has led to reasonable recommendations.”
Driving privilege cards would not offer the same broader benefits as standard Department of Motor Vehicle-issued driver’s licenses, which now double as a federally authorized form of official identification. Other states have effectively adopted similar systems, which include anti-fraud measures and incentivize participation from undocumented residents.
If such a program is implemented, the Task Force suggests that community leaders work with law enforcement to help educate undocumented drivers and increase participation. The General Assembly may also want to consider adopting penalties for those who don’t participate. Under the proposed plan, undocumented drivers would have to submit two years of State tax returns as a means of establishing Delaware as their state of residence before they could get driver privileges. In turn, the State would not use the information gathered for the driving-privilege card for any other purposes, unless information indicative of a criminal history suggests a potential threat to public safety.
“This Task Force completed a thorough review of how this issue has been addressed in several other states and how Delaware could improve on those efforts,” said Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, who co-chaired the Task Force. “Certain logistics would still need to be sorted out, but there is no doubt that Delaware can and should adopt a system that enables undocumented Delawareans to drive lawfully, more safely, and with insurance. Such a system actually would make our roadways safer for all Delawareans.”
Delaware Hispanic Commission Chairman Javier Torrijos, who joined Townsend and Cohan on Task Force, agreed.
“The Delaware Hispanic Commission believes this report provides a clear and responsible road map that has carefully weighed all the issues surrounding the driving privilege card,” Torrijos said. “We hope that our legislators will seriously consider the recommendations offered by the Task Force and will introduce a bill that will grant this opportunity to many.”
The full Task Force report is available here.
The 25-member Task Force included a wide-range of stakeholders: law enforcement, the insurance commissioner, community leaders and lawmakers.
Such a system would make Delaware’s roadways safer, and would give accident victims more recourse when they’re in a collision with an unlicensed driver. The Task Force report urges the General Assembly take up legislation that would give undocumented residents an opportunity to purchase insurance and pass driving assessments, both requirements for licensed drivers who operate a motor vehicle in the First State.
“The Undocumented Driver Task Force was established to discuss a very real modern problem of safety and equality,” said Division of Motor Vehicle Director Jennifer Cohan, who served on the Task Force. “Many voices were brought together for an open and honest dialogue. I am very pleased to know that the work of all the members has led to reasonable recommendations.”
Driving privilege cards would not offer the same broader benefits as standard Department of Motor Vehicle-issued driver’s licenses, which now double as a federally authorized form of official identification. Other states have effectively adopted similar systems, which include anti-fraud measures and incentivize participation from undocumented residents.
If such a program is implemented, the Task Force suggests that community leaders work with law enforcement to help educate undocumented drivers and increase participation. The General Assembly may also want to consider adopting penalties for those who don’t participate. Under the proposed plan, undocumented drivers would have to submit two years of State tax returns as a means of establishing Delaware as their state of residence before they could get driver privileges. In turn, the State would not use the information gathered for the driving-privilege card for any other purposes, unless information indicative of a criminal history suggests a potential threat to public safety.
“This Task Force completed a thorough review of how this issue has been addressed in several other states and how Delaware could improve on those efforts,” said Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, who co-chaired the Task Force. “Certain logistics would still need to be sorted out, but there is no doubt that Delaware can and should adopt a system that enables undocumented Delawareans to drive lawfully, more safely, and with insurance. Such a system actually would make our roadways safer for all Delawareans.”
Delaware Hispanic Commission Chairman Javier Torrijos, who joined Townsend and Cohan on Task Force, agreed.
“The Delaware Hispanic Commission believes this report provides a clear and responsible road map that has carefully weighed all the issues surrounding the driving privilege card,” Torrijos said. “We hope that our legislators will seriously consider the recommendations offered by the Task Force and will introduce a bill that will grant this opportunity to many.”
The full Task Force report is available here.
The 25-member Task Force included a wide-range of stakeholders: law enforcement, the insurance commissioner, community leaders and lawmakers.
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Press Contacts
Scott Goss
Communications Director
(302) 744-4180
scott.goss@delaware.gov
Dylan McDowell
Communications Assistant
(302) 744-4282
dylan.mcdowell@delaware.gov
Scott Goss
Communications Director
(302) 744-4180
scott.goss@delaware.gov
Dylan McDowell
Communications Assistant
(302) 744-4282
dylan.mcdowell@delaware.gov