The purpose of the study was to provide data on the characteristics of drivers suspended pursuant to California's financial responsibility law (VC 16070). Two distinct data sets comprised the primary study material: (1) a sample of 125,341 drivers suspended in 1978 for not supplying evidence of insurance following a reportable accident and (2) a sample of zip codes selected to provide a wide range of uninsured motorist rates. Compared to the average California driver, the financially irresponsible driver was found (1) to have a much worse prior accident record; (2) to have a much worse prior traffic conviction record, including major violations; (3) to more often be young; and (4) to more often be male. The zip code analysis indicated that zip codes with high rates of uninsurance had significantly lower median incomes, more poverty level persons, and lower education levels than zip codes with a low rate of uninsurance. In general, the findings closely paralleled those of a 1967 study on the same topic.
Abstract