New cameras target uninsured drivers in one Coast city. Thousands get pricey tickets.

Traffic cameras in some of the most heavily-traveled areas in Ocean Springs are catching thousands of drivers without insurance, and they’re having to pay up.

New cameras on U.S. 90, Washington Ave. and Government Street have resulted in many residents getting tickets in the mail with pictures of their car attached.

Launched at the start of the year, the cameras in four locations across the city are part of a new effort by Ocean Springs police to reduce the number of uninsured motorists on the road.

As of 2019, Mississippi leads the country with 29.4% of cars not having insurance,compared to a national average of 12.6%, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Some who have insurance might not care, but anyone in Mississippi who feels they pay too much for car insurance can attach some blame to the large minority driving without insurance.

“[Uninsured motorists] costs you me and everyone else who does pay insurance a couple million dollars a year in total,” said Ocean Springs Police Chief Mark Dunston. He estimates half of car accidents reported to Ocean Springs police involve a driver without insurance.

Don’t underestimate insurance companies, either. They are aware that Mississippi has a high rate of uninsured motorists. As a result, companies will raise rates on insurance for Mississippi drivers to mitigate that risk, according to insure.com.

How the Coast traffic cameras work

The way the program came to fruition was through a partnership with the city of Ocean Springs and Securix, a private security company.

When Securix first approached Dunston about the idea he liked it, so he brought it to a legal team to make sure it was allowed in Mississippi.

Statute 17-25-19 prohibits the use of recording devices for enforcement of traffic laws, such as red light and speed cameras, but the law does not apply to the use of cameras for insurance verification.

Dunston then brought the idea to the mayor and Board of Alderman, who approved the program.

Through the use of high tech cameras called Automated License Plate Recognition cameras, pictures of car license plates are taken as they drive by.

The pictures are then cross referenced with the state vehicle insurance database, and any license plate that is not found in the database is then issued a ticket by a police officer who verifies the information.

“In the last couple months, we have identified close to 6,000 violations,” Dunston said.

He says only 2% of cars so far have been wrongfully identified and have insurance.

After getting a ticket, individuals have several options.

The most popular is paying the $300, signing up for insurance and going to a diversion program that verifies the individual got insurance and watch an educational video about insurance. The $300 is split between the city and Securix.

Those that choose this option avoid court and get to keep their license.

Alternatively, they can fight it in court before a judge.

Lastly, if an individual has insurance and were wrongfully identified, the ticket provides a number to call where they can show proof of insurance and the ticket is dismissed.

Although the program is used in other states, Ocean Springs is the first location to use it in Mississippi. Dunston says other municipalities are watching to see how the program goes in Ocean Springs.

Concerns about insurance program

Coast residents that have been wrongfully identified as drivers without insurance are not impressed with the new cameras.

Kalee Wilson had car insurance when she received a ticket in the mail.

“How can I get a $300 ticket when I have never been pulled over,” she said.

She filed an appeal and is awaiting a response.

“It’s just bologna,” she said. “That’s a violation of privacy if you ask me … it’s dumb, it’s overreaching.”

A Securix representative told the Sun Herald on Friday that Wilson had improper insurance because she has a policy from Washington.

Cars registered in Mississippi are required to have insurance from here, Securix said.

Wilson said it wasn’t easy to find how to file an appeal and she is concerned about elderly people who may wrongfully receive a ticket and not know how to properly file an appeal.

To file an appeal you go online and provide documentation of insurance and submit it to a website operated by Securix.

She said she intends to complain to the mayor’s office.

Dunston said he’s seen negative feedback on social media, but has also received support from residents.

“The way it is today, there’s always going to be someone who is unhappy with what you do and someone who supports what you are doing,” he said.

This story was originally published March 17, 2022 at 5:50 AM.