Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 27, 1993 TAG: 9307270231
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"We prefer to issue the lists to people who want to use it," said William H. Leighty, a DMV deputy commissioner. "It's better if they have to ask for it."
Under that system, the chief law enforcement official in each locality must write to DMV and specifically request the list.
DMV developed a computer program to provide the list after prodding from the Hampton Police Department, which pioneered a program targeting habitual offenders. The total number of traffic accidents, alcohol-related accidents and alcohol-related fatalities has dropped each of the three years Hampton has conducted the program.
Following Hampton's lead, DMV computers now can search driving records and provide police with a listing and description of habitual offenders in specific areas with three or more convictions for driving under the influence.
According to Leighty, DMV is working with the House of Delegates Courts of Justice Committee on developing more effective ways to keep unlicensed drivers off Virginia's highways.
Statistics released by DMV at the request of the Roanoke Times & World-News earlier this month show that one out of eight driver's licenses issued by the state is either suspended or revoked.
Leighty said DMV does not want to automatically release its list of the worst habitual offenders to law enforcement agencies in each jurisdiction throughout the state because "we don't want to bury them in paperwork."
A 125-name list received by the Roanoke Police Department last week ran four pages long.
Some Roanoke-area law enforcement officials complained that DMV has not made them aware of the program and suggested that DMV notify police through the crime computers used by most law enforcement agencies that the lists are available.
Leighty said his office will prepare a letter notifying law enforcement officials in the state's cities, counties and towns of the availability of the lists.
Local officials expressed a willingness to jump through DMV hoops, if that's what's required to get the list.
"We will order it - yes, sir," Montgomery County Sheriff Ken Phipps said. "We'll work with DMV. We'll see if we can get some of those people off the road."
Salem Police Chief Harry Haskins said he was unaware that the list was available, but now will order it.
"I'm certainly interested in it," Haskins said. "It's a good idea - an excellent idea."
Franklin County Capt. Bob Strickler, who heads the county's traffic safety commission, said he had not been made aware of the list or how to order it. He said Monday he will send a computer message asking DMV how to order the habitual-offender list.
"It would make everybody aware of who they are," Strickler said.
Bedford was the only jurisdiction to say it probably wouldn't order the list of habitual offenders.
"Being a small jurisdiction, we know who most of them are," said Lt. Paul Davis.
by CNB