A man was pulled over in Leesburg, Florida, for driving with a suspended license, and his reason for doing so was something many people might relate to—he said he simply couldn’t afford car insurance anymore.
According to a report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened on Saturday evening when deputies noticed a silver Hyundai that seemed to be driven recklessly near U.S. Highway 441 and Sleepy Hollow Road.
The vehicle was weaving through lanes without using turn signals and was driving over the speed limit.
After pulling the car over, deputies approached the driver, identified as 42-year-old Steven Mitchell of Leesburg.
They quickly discovered that his driver’s license had been suspended. When asked why he was behind the wheel despite the suspension, Mitchell reportedly told officers he had no choice because he couldn’t afford the car insurance required to reinstate his license.
“I was trying to get to work. I don’t have the money for the insurance. It’s just too expensive now,” he allegedly said.
Mitchell also told deputies that he had been trying to save money to catch up on payments but was stuck in a cycle—he couldn’t drive legally without insurance, but without driving, he couldn’t get to work and earn the money to pay for it.
This isn’t the first time he’s had trouble with the law over traffic-related offenses. According to the sheriff’s office, Mitchell has several previous citations, including prior issues with driving on a suspended license. Deputies also found that his vehicle registration had expired, adding another legal issue to the situation.
During the traffic stop, officers conducted a routine check of the car and found no drugs or weapons. However, the lack of insurance and valid registration was enough to warrant a citation and a court summons. Mitchell’s vehicle was towed from the scene.
The incident highlights a growing issue many drivers are facing in Florida and across the U.S.—rising car insurance rates.
For some drivers, especially those with past infractions or poor credit scores, premiums have become difficult to manage.
While not paying for insurance is illegal and can lead to more serious consequences like license suspension, people like Mitchell say they feel stuck between following the law and trying to survive financially.
Authorities say they understand the financial pressures but stress that driving without a valid license or insurance puts everyone at risk.
In this case, Mitchell was issued several citations and will need to appear in court. It’s unclear if further charges will be filed.
For now, the case serves as a reminder that while financial issues can be tough, breaking traffic laws can lead to even more costly consequences.