LEWISTON — A driving records check on the ballot candidates running for governor in Maine shows three of the five have fairly average driving records.
But one — Kevin Scott of Andover — has been convicted of 35 motor vehicle violations and had his driving privilege suspended on 21 occasions, Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap said Tuesday after reviewing records.
Dunlap described the driving records of the other four candidates as “fairly pedestrian” in nature, saying they were “about average” for Maine drivers.
Last Saturday during the first televised debate, all five candidates were asked how many “points” they had on their driver’s license in reference to the system Maine uses to track driving violations.
Each driving infraction results in points being added to a driving record and each year a driver goes without a violation a point is removed to a maximum of negative four points. Good driving can result in a maximum of four negative points while the accumulation of 12 or more points can result in a driver’s license suspension, according to Dunlap.
Four of the five candidates said they didn’t have any points on their record while Republican Paul LePage said he had no idea how many points he had. That answer is probably the most accurate, according to Dunlap, who said most drivers have no idea how many points they have on their record. In fact, LePage, who has received three speeding tickets in the last 10 years, has negative three points, as do independent candidates Eliot Cutler and Shawn Moody.
LePage’s tickets include convictions for driving 83 mph in a 65-mph zone, driving 84 mph in a 65-mph zone and driving 51 mph in a 25-mph zone.
Cutler has two speeding tickets over the last 10 years, including driving 72 mph in a 50 mph zone and 41 mph in a 30-mph zone.
Moody’s tickets include a conviction for an improper turn, speeding 68 mph in a 55-mph zone, an out-of-state seat belt violation and failure to stop for a red light.
Democrat Libby Mitchell has the cleanest driving record with no convictions in the last 10 years.
Scott’s 10-year record includes nine violations, including five speeding tickets: One for driving 94 mph in a 65-mph zone, one for driving 83 mph in a 65-mph zone, one for driving 69 mph in a 55-mph zone, one for driving 74 mph in a 55-mph zone and one for driving 50 mph in a 25-mph zone in April of 2010.
Other convictions on Scott’s 10-year record include passing on the right, failure to display a valid registration plate, failure to display a valid inspection sticker and one conviction for operating inadequate or defective equipment.
Attempts to reach the candidates and their campaigns for comment on this story were unsuccessful Tuesday.
What they drive
The five gubernatorial candidates were asked during a televised debate what kind of car they drive.
Elizabeth “Libby” Mitchell said she drives a Toyota Prius. That vehicle is registered in her husband’s name, according to records at the Maine Department of Motor Vehicles. Also registered in Mitchell and her husband’s name is a gray 2006 Cadillac Escalade and a black 2003 Volkswagen Beetle.
Eliot Cutler said he drives a Ford. Records show a 1996 Ford Bronco is registered to the candidate. Records show registrations for a 2004 black Volvo X90 and a 2002 red BMW 330 registered to he and Melanie Cutler expired in August of this year.
Shawn Moody said he drives a pickup truck that was salvaged from the water. Registered in his and his wife’s names is a 2000 blue Chevrolet 1500 pickup. Also registered in Moody’s name is a 1971 black Chevrolet Nova and a green 2001 GMC Yukon.
Paul LePage said he drives a “company car” he described only as a Toyota. Records show a registration for a 2000 red Pontiac Grand Am in his and his wife’s names expired in January.
Scott said he drives an “Oldsmobile.” Records show he has registered three vehicles in his name in recent years, including a 1987 blue Chevrolet C-10 pickup, a 1972 blue Jeep Wagoneer and a 1967 green Jeep J-200. Registrations on all but the 1972 Jeep Wagoneer vehicle were expired.
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- The five Maine gubernatorial candidates met to debate issues in a forum before seniors in Waterville, Maine, on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010. Independent Kevin Scott, center, makes a point while Republican Paul LePage, left, and Democrat Libby Mitchell, right, listen.
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