Tax for Insurance

Regarding Andrew Tobias’ sponsorship of a bill to add an additional gas tax of 25 to 35 cents per gallon at the pump, to protect us against the uninsured motorist (Nov. 9): That’s nuts!

The way it is supposed to work is--no insurance, no drive. Period! When a person renews his or her driver’s license, he or she must provide valid proof of insurance. No exceptions. Renewal of license plate tag, he or she must provide valid proof of insurance. No exceptions.

If your car is impounded for any reason, valid proof of insurance before you can claim your vehicle. No exceptions.

The answer is simple: If you cannot afford insurance, you will not be allowed to drive. It is a privilege, not a right to drive.

GARY P. BENNETT

Playa del Rey

* I agree that having up to 5 million uninsured motorists on California highways is a problem that should be rectified. I presume that there are that many automobiles being operated with inadequate or no insurance. However, paying up to 25 cents per gallon at the pump seems a bit extreme when another obvious but less painful solution is readily available.

I suggest that the Department of Motor Vehicles require that proof of insurance be provided as a condition for automobile license renewal. This procedure is already in effect with regard to exhaust emission testing and seems to be working. Why not include insurance as a criterion for license renewal?

Since my ‘no insurance-no license suggestion is so obvious, it must have been previously considered by our Sacramento bureaucrats but presumably rejected because it is too simple.

ROY E. TAVASTI

Pismo Beach