The Philadelphia "Live Stop" program is in place to impound vehicles of people stopped for driving vehicles with suspended registration, no insurance, or with a suspended license. We know how frequesnt these things take place, and how much of an impact each of these violations have on everyone, but is impounding a vehicle, possibly causing damage, and leaving a person stranded the right thing to do?
Philadelphia implemented the "Live Stop" program in 1998 to help lower the cost of auto insurance in the region. Have you seen rates considerably lower than surrounding counties? The live stop program bring in a ton of money for the city. How many vehicles and additional fees and fines do you think are collected by Philadelphia because of the confiscated, towed, and stored cars and trucks?
Once this system took hold of the entire city in the early 2000's there was no turning back. After purchasing the equipment, setting aside facilities, and hiring staff, there is no easy way for the city to reverse their decision. They are in to the program now and happily suckling at the teat of the helpless motorist. Even a small paperwork infraction, missed payment, or bureaucratic error can lead to additional multiples of fines and fees, and this could cripple any of the struggling families in the Philadelphia neighborhoods.
Attorney Stephen Sheller is suing the City of Philadelphia over this practice of "Live Stop" for stranding his daughter after driving his car with expired registration. She was not the owner of the vehicle, I do not know for sure, but I guess the vehicle was not in poor condition, she was not a hazard to other motorists, and yet the officer decided it was in the cities best interest to impound the vehicle and get this young woman off the road. By impouinding the vehicle they left Attorney Sheller's daughter and her fiancé stranded in West Philadelphia. Sheller claims the neighborhood where the young couple was left was unsafe, and I understand that contention. With the number of violent acts in the Philadelphia region over the last few months, I would not want to be left alone with no transportation in most areas of the city.
More information on Attorney Shiller's suit can be found at http://goo.gl/zbPQi
I do not think the "Live Stop" program should go away completely, and in some cases I think it is what is best for the city and residents. When a vehicle is stopped that is not registered or inspected, and shows signs of being unsafe or in disrepair, taking that vehicle off the street does everyone a favor. Likewise, when someone has a suspended license, does not care or continues to violate the law by driving with their license suspended, take the car! Make them go through the hassle, cost and issues associated with getting their car back.
Does the "Live Stop" program make sense to you? How would you enforce "Live Stop" and would you keep it the way it is right now?
Suspended drivers license stories with License Restoration Services Inc. and working with PennDOT.
1 comment:
WHO DID THE CAR BELONG TO. DID SHE KNOW THAT THE REGISTRATION EXPIRED. DID SHE ASK THE OWNER ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE REGISTRATION. IF SO, WHAT DID THE OWNER SAY? I WOULD LIKE THESE QUESTIONS ANSWERED BEFORE COMMENTING ON LIVE STOPS' DESCISION.
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