A new state law that takes effect Jan. 1 is designed to crack down on motorists who don't abide by Alabama's mandatory auto insurance law.
State Revenue Commissioner Julie Magee says a new online system will check insurance companies' records within a few seconds to see if a motorist has insurance. County license plate officials will do it when issuing or renewing a tag. Police will do it during traffic stops. And the state Revenue Department will do random checks.
The Insurance Research Council estimates 22 percent of Alabama's vehicles don't have liability insurance. Magee said her goal is to get that below 10 percent.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.