Cause a Crash? It Could Really Cost you in South Suburban Flossmoor

Driving through South Suburban Flossmoor Saturday, Adia Anderson wasn't thinking about accidents she was thinking about food. "We're just here to eat for lunch today." Anderson just found out that Starting next month, a crash tax could be imposed on people who don't live in Flossmoor and cause an accident in the village requiring emergency response. The Chicago Tribune reports that the charge is 125 dollars for the response fee and 35 dollars for every firefighter or police officer called to the accident scene. It's even more expensive for search and rescue events or hazardous material spills. The village Fire Chief says residents shouldn't have to pay for accidents caused by people passing through. Adia Anderson says, "I think that it's ridiculous!. Our State insurance requires so much from us here in Illinois and for them to ask for a crash tax is just ludicrous." At the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, Bob Passmore says for the past three years he has seen the crash tax pop up in states all across the country. "We think it's a back door tax on individuals who have already paid their taxes or people who drive through town." Passmore says 8 states have already banned the tax because of public outcry. He says most of time insurance does not cover the crash tax. Passmore says, "One of the problems with that is it doesn't seem very inviting to people who want to come and do business in your town." Flossmoor resident Bob Zaniolo agrees, "First of all everyone pays taxes wherever they are and police and fire, that's kind of like a public service and I don't think you should have to pay if you have an accident in a different area." Adia Anderson says next time she drives through Flossmoor, she won't be thinking about food. She will be thinking about the crash tax. "I will drive a lot safer, defensive driving definitely." The village Fire Chief told the Chicago Tribune he doesn't expect Flossmoor to make a lot of money from the response fees but he does believe in these tough economic times that it will be a significant cost cutting measure. The tribune reports that out of 87 accidents in Flossmoor last year, 54 of them were caused by non-residents.

The following states have banned the crash tax: Indiana, Pennsylvania, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Georgia