by James Jefferson, Associated Press
LITTLE ROCK (AP) - Encoding information in a magnetic strip on the back of vehicle registration and proof-of-insurance cards could speed accident reporting and get state troopers back on the highways more quickly, their commander said Tuesday.
Col. Don Melton told lawmakers that he would ask the Legislature next year for a new law authorizing bar codes on vehicle registration and proof-of-insurance cards.
Drivers licenses in Arkansas already have bar codes on the back containing the information on the front. That information, along with what would be contained on bar codes affixed to registration and insurance cards, could be scanned onto a form on laptop computers in state police cruisers, Melton said.
The state would add the bar codes to registration forms. Insurance companies would have to put them on proof of insurance cards. Melton said he did not anticipate that being a problem for insurance agencies. Insurance agents on the legislative panel weren’t so sure.
“I would anticipate more resistance than you anticipate,” said Rep. Larry Teague, D-Nashville. “Everybody and his brother uses ID cards, and I can see it being very complicated to get all that software in all the agents’ offices. But I don’t understand what you gain from that.”
Completing an accident investigation and filling out a report takes about three hours, about half of which involves a trooper in an office filling out a report, Melton said.
The new technology could save tens of thousands of man hours a year, he told the Joint Advanced Communications and Information Technology Committee.
“There’s a lot faster and easier way to do it ... that keeps the officer in the field,” Melton said after the meeting. By returning troopers to the field faster, “we can do more with fewer people.”
The information also could be placed on a Web site for easy access to agencies and the public, Melton said.
He estimated that outfitting 350 state police cruisers with computers and scanners would cost about $5,000 each, or about $1.75 million. Grants could be available to cover much of the cost, although Melton said he would be prepared to ask the Legislature for funding, if necessary.