"In some cases, Hunter explained, uninsured motorists whose cars are impounded simply buy another used vehicle."
That really ought to merit arrest, not just confiscation of the 2nd car.
In So Cal it costs about a grand to get your car out of impound, that and a 30 day wait.
It seems to work very well for:
the state (gets smoggers off the road)
the wetback (another used car costs about half that - if they make the payments)
the city (full employment)
But, oddly enough,
NOT the person who sold them the car and still has outstanding payments to collect...and no way to get the car out of impound short of full payment of fines and charges.
Works just fine for three out of four.