Lawmakers question BMV officials on recent problems

INDIANAPOLIS — Lawmakers peppered Bureau of Motor Vehicles officials Thursday with questions about recent computer problems at the state's license branches, but agency Commissioner Joel Silverman said most of the issues have been resolved.\nSilverman also told legislators on the interim study committee on government affairs he still believes average wait times at the agency's branches can be reduced to 20 minutes by year's end.\nHe first apologized to the panel for the numerous problems that followed the agency's switch to a new $32 million computer system in July, including several tasks that could not be performed for days, and other glitches that resulted in hours-long waits at some branches.\nSilverman said there were numerous reasons for the problems, including a poorly written contract with a private vendor and flawed testing. He said ultimate blame rested with him because he convinced Gov. Mitch Daniels the agency was ready to make the conversion.\nThe problems were "unintended," he said. "They were unforeseen and certainly not done with any malice."\nThe switch also raised concerns about the accuracy of driving records, causing problems for police and prosecutors. Officers in Marion and Hamilton counties stopped using the BMV's computer records as a sole basis for detaining drivers because of the problems.