Gov. Haley Barbour vetoed a bill that Legislature passed requiring motorists to have auto insurance before getting a car tag. Supportive of the concept, Barbor expressed cost concerns and was worried a system might overload the Department of Public Safety who would be responsible for checking for auto insurance.

Many hope that the laws will continue to strengthen and diminish the gap of those who do not have auto insurance. Barbor did express interest in seeing a similar bill that would elaborate on how the system would be implemented and the costs.

Mississippi currently has one of the highest rates of uninsured motorists. Previous state laws required that motorists carry at least the minimum liability coverage. In 2000, lawmakers strengthened the law requiring motorists to show proof of insurance during a wreck or if they were pulled over.