Move to Protect Missourians from

Out-of-State Uninsured Drivers.

The Missouri House Public Safety Committee approved an amendment Tuesday that would strengthen Missouri auto insurance laws and protect Missourians from uninsured out-of-state drivers. Offered by Rep. Tom Flanigan, R-Carthage, the amendment was added to an omnibus crime bill, HB 1205, that was then voted do pass by the committee. Flanigan’s amendment is similar to HB 1996, which he sponsors.

Flanigan’s amendment would expand Missouri liability laws to apply to out-of-state drivers. Current law requires Missouri drivers to maintain liability insurance but does not apply to drivers registered outside the state.

"We’ve seen incidents where law enforcement officials have been powerless to take action against uninsured motorists from other states because there is nothing currently in law that covers this. The weakness in Missouri law came to light after a Jasper County resident was hit by an Oklahoma driver in Joplin. The end result has been that Missouri drivers, who have done everything to abide by the law, are left with the bill to repair damage to their vehicle," said Flanigan. "With this change we can address a weakness in Missouri law that has resulted in a great deal of unfairness for Missouri drivers. This will give law enforcement officials the power they need to take action against uninsured out-of-state motorists so that we can protect law-abiding Missourians."

Flanigan’s amendment would require non-residents to adhere to the financial responsibility laws of their state of residence. Missouri law enforcement officials would be able to hold out-of-state drivers responsible for not having auto insurance. If out-of-state drivers are not in compliance with their state’s requirements, they would be guilty of a class C misdemeanor and would have their driving privileges in Missouri suspended. In addition, the Missouri Department of Revenue would notify the state in which the driver resides of the offense.

HB 1205 now moves to the House Rules Committee for approval before heading to the House floor for discussion.

Over the years our household has accumulated a collection of ladders. I suppose most homeowners are blessed with the same joy of ownership. I’d guess as investments ladders don’t make a lot of sense, ya only use ‘em a few times a year and the rest of the time they just sit around takin’ up space. The real benefit is not monetary, but just plain handy.

As hard as they are to loose, the question of "where’s the ladder" seems to pop up on a regular basis, followed by the "which one" response. The little step, the big little step, the little big step, the big step, Grandpa’s old one, the new one, or the extension?

I’ve tried those, there’s just that one spot that I can’t quite get too. I still need one just a little longer.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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To Your Good Health

By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

Warts Often Fade on Their Own

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Would you address plantar warts? I’ve been told they’re from a virus in the body and that nothing can be done for them or keep them from recurring. Is this so? -- D.W.

ANSWER: All warts, wherever they are, come from an infection with one of the more than 100 human papillomaviruses -- HPV. Individual members of the HPV family have a preference for particular body sites. Some head for the soles of the feet to cause plantar warts. "Plantar" is derived from a Latin word meaning "sole of the foot."

If a plantar wart isn’t kicking up a fuss, it can be left alone. It’s not going to do any harm. Many such warts disappear without any treatment. Some can return, and there is not a whole lot to do about preventing a second visit.

However, there is much to do about a plantar wart that hurts. The method chosen for wart removal must not leave a scar. A scar on the bottom of the foot causes more trouble than does a wart.

Look on the shelves of any drugstore for wart-removal products that contain salicylic acid, and follow the directions for application carefully. Be patient. It takes more than one application to get rid of the wart.

Duct tape sometimes works. That’s right -- duct tape, the tape you buy in a hardware store. Cover the wart with a piece of it for six days. Remove the tape, soak the foot and then gently rub the wart with a pumice stone, obtainable in drugstores. Reapply the tape after 12 hours. You might have to repeat this procedure for two months before the wart leaves.

If home remedies bring no success, the family doctor can step in with more involved treatments.