PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

When a law enforcement officer stops an individual for a traffic infraction, it is essential that the officer have an up-to-date record of violations for the driver from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). However, often the lag time between court dispositions and entry to the individual's driver history file prevents the officer from having the most current data. Additionally, there is the possibility of data entry errors in encoding the court actions to the driver history file.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Court Abstract Transmission Systems (CATS) are to:

• Automate the forwarding of court documents to update BMV records
• Reduce the lag time between court dispositions and record update
• Reduce the opportunity for human error due to typographical errors.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

In 1988, the Indiana BMV began developing the CATS. This system enables participating courts to transmit data on minor traffic infractions directly to the BMV. Transmission can be in the form of magnetic tape, floppy disc, or PC to PC via modem. Within 24 hours of receipt of the transmitted data, the BMV updates the driver history file. The BMV then creates a transmittal report which is mailed back to the court verifying all records.

RESULTS

As of September 30, 1995, the CATS project operates in four counties: Allen, Marion, Marshall, and St. Joseph. These four counties produce approximately one quarter of all citations issued in the state.

Planning is currently underway to expand the CATS into four more courts. Additionally, research is being conducted to determine the legal ramifications of expanding the number and type of traffic offenses (e.g. misdemeanors and felonies) transmittable to the BMV via the CATS.