The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "motorists" ...
-
"Drivers Beware"
Thomas Caywood revealed that a local towing company, Falcon Recovery, was using an "undercover spotter" to keep watch on a strip mall parking lot. Just moments after motorists parked and left their cars, the spotter would call in a tow truck. Caywood also revealed that the company was "tacking on an illegal charge."
Tags: Falcon Recovery; tow trucks; strip mall; Worcester; RMV; Registry of Motor Vehicles; Madison Place; Francis R. Whitenett Jr.
-
Are Your Papers in Order
The series reveals how the Sheriff of Maricopa County rounded up illegal aliens for deportation in an effort to remove illegal immigrants. The way this was done was arresting many people without probable cause and simple issues, such as traffic stops. Further, he was stopping darker colored people with alleged infractions and later checking on their residency to determine if they had to be deported or not.
Tags: Arizona; immigration; law enforcement; Hispanic; residents; motorists; citizens; police
-
N.J.'s "last resort" auto policies
New Jersey has a “dollar-a-day” insurance program, which essentially gives poor drivers a legal insurance card. But this insurance doesn’t cover any costs if the driver happens to cause an accident. Furthermore, this system would leave the victims of the accidents paying for the damage they didn’t cause.
Tags: New Jersey; car accidents; insurance; motorists; program; FOIA; unprotected; drivers; damage
-
Brian Ross Investigates: Tires-Cracking the Code
This report investigates the little-known hazard of the road - aged tires that have exceeded their shelf life. Most motorists only look at the depth of a tire's tread to determine if it is safe enough to use. However, our investigation revealed that as tires get older, even if they've never been driven a mile, they can dry out, and after six years of age, can become dangerous. Experts say aged tires have led to numerous fatalities, yet motorists have been kept in the dark about the issue.
Tags: tires; public safety; car care; automobile; tire industry; tread separation
-
E-Z Pass Problems
Maryland's E-Z Pass system that "signals a computer as the motorists goes through a toll plaza to automatically subtract the cost of the toll from their E-ZPass holder account" has problems. WBAL found that batteries were wearing out but the state didn't send out notices and were denying fine appeals.
Tags: transportation; toll roads; state government; products;
-
Stopwatch
The Fredrick News Post determined if disparity existed in discretionary traffic stops by using law enforcemnet's own records. It found that blacks were more likely to be searched when stopped than white motorists.
Tags: warrant; search; seizure; drugs; race; racism; minority; discrimination;
-
M.I.S.T
The investigation "uncovered a plan that began in the mid-1990s with the help of one of the nation's leading consultant firms, McKenzie, to force motorists to sue to recover costs for so-called soft tissue injuries. Led by the nation's two leading insurers, State Farm and Allstate, insurance companies developed a strategy of delay, deny and defend when it came to minor car crashes."
Tags: car crashes; accidents; insurance; injuries;
-
Danger Behind the Wheel: Suspended Driver on Maine Roads
"This series studied the dangers posed by drivers with suspended licenses; evaluated efforts in Maine to crack down on the problem; and looked at what other measures might help protect motorists and pedestrians. One key statistical conclusion was that when drivers with suspended licenses are involved in crashes, it's six times more likely that someone will die than when properly licensed drivers crash their vehicles."
Tags: motorist; licens; drivers; drunk driving; transportation; Maine; car crash;
-
DUI: A Failure To Convict
Almost half of the motorists charged with DUI's in Pima County courts have escaped conviction. Only 38% of motorists with three or more DUI cases were convicted. This is due to a number of problems ranging from young and overloaded prosecutors, to the increased arrest rate with no increase in the number of prosecutors.
Tags: alcohol; DUI; conviction; motorist; caseload
-
Racial Profiling Problems
San Antonio Police Department paid $54,000 to analyze SAPD's racial profiling data. SAPD reported that the numbers is one of the best in the country. But WOAI found that SAPD listed motorists the wrong race. Out of 154,000 tickets, 26 percent of them were listed under the wrong race.It was also revealed that the same motorist showed up dozens of times in the records when they should have only be counted once.
Tags: racial profiling; police; discrimination; motorists; minority; traffic tickets