At least one expert is linking the struggling economy to an apparent rise in the number of uninsured Indiana motorists.

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The Bureau of Motor Vehicles says the number of drivers licenses suspended in Indiana due to lack of auto insurance is way up this year. BMV Spokesman Dennis Rosebrough says the state saw 172, 235 license suspensions from January 1st to October 15th of last year. He says the number for the same period this year is 220, 905. That's a 22-percent jump.

Rosebrough believes the figure is due to tougher enforcement. He says notices go out following traffic accidents or violations that require drivers to provide proof of insurance. Rosebrough says their message is clear; driving without auto insurance is against Indiana law.

Meantime, the Hoosier Motor Club's Senior Vice President Steve Vernick says the struggling economy may be playing a big role. Vernick says he's seen an alarming increase in the number of accidents in which drivers have no insurance. Vernick says insurance is not cheap especially for motorists with poor driving records.