I would just like to say something about compulsory driving insurance as I experienced it when I lived in Colorado.
When I lived there they required that everyone have insurance. Well…not everyone did. The reason? Because the insurance companies raised the rates sky high. I had never had a ticket and the rate per month was $115. Now, can you imagine a single other, going to college, trying to make ends meet paying $115/month (things there are much cheaper remember). When the choice came up between groceries or car insurance you can guess which one won.
I was stopped by police in routine checks 2 times, both times my insurance had lapsed. I was summoned to court with all kinds of other "law breakers". Shop lifters, drug users, and lots of people there who failed to have compulsory insurance!
I read recently in the Denver, Colorado paper that now they think 1/3 of the drivers don't have insurance. This law won't make people have insurance. However there was a proposal for a pay at the pump tax that would insure all drivers. It is still not a reality there.
I think an even better solution would to be to make the bus system here useable for locals. The drivers need to actually follow a posted schedule. More bus riding would relieve the congestion downtown. Think MASS TRANSIT!

Cindy Larason
former Denverite