By KAREN DAILY Staff writer

Statistics from early last year show that one in four South Carolina motorists is driving uninsured, but until recently, it's been the insured motorists paying the price.

The more uninsured drivers on the roadways, the higher the premium insured drivers have been paying.

Since spring 2002, a group of 33 South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers has come out of retirement dedicated to cracking down on uninsured drivers, said Highway Patrol Insurance Enforcement Assistant Commander, said Sgt. Carl Payne.

Early last year, their pursuit was aided with an innovative Department of Motor Vehicles database that immediately electronically notifies law enforcement when coverage has lapsed.

The database is called the Automobile Insurance Liability Reporting system or ALIR.

The motorist is sent a written notification from the insurance company before the lapse and now contacted by the DMV immediately after the lapse.

Beginning this year, state law dictates that uninsured motorists have 20 business days to show proof of new liability coverage or their driving privileges, license plate and vehicle registration are suspended.

If the policy has lapsed within the first 20 days, the driver must pay a $5 per day penalty and show proof of insurance before the privileges are returned.

If the laps has exceeded the 20 days, the motorist is required to show new proof of insurance, pay a $200 reinstatement fee and an additional $5 per day fee, up to $200.

"While under suspension, you may not drive any vehicle or sell or register any vehicle that was uninsured," said DMV spokesperson Beth Parks.

Troopers enforcing the insurance laws cover all 46 counties in the state.

"Since July 1, 2004, through Feb. 4, 2005, we have received notification of 43,507 suspended tags," Payne said. "We have cleared 36,754."

If you receive an uninsured motorist ticket, you may have to pay fines up to $550.

"We will get the tag anywhere we can get it and make charges against them," he said.

The troopers will track an uninsured motorist to his home, workplace or make contacts with neighbors and family to locate the motorist driving illegally.

"We are taking this very seriously." he said. "They have done an outstanding job."

While the majority of the uninsured tags are found in the most populated areas, Payne said the troopers are as diligent in all parts of the state.

"About 66 percent of our uninsured tags come out of Charleston, Greenville and Columbia, but we are everywhere," he said.

Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com.