The Idaho Press-Tribune in an Associated Press story reports that the Idaho Transportation Department takes in about $5.4 million annually from the sale of motor vehicle records and other personal information. The department says the data is used to research car purchasing habits, deliver recall notices and even find those who don't pay parking tickets issued by private companies.

A department spokesman said the personal information does not find its way into junk mail and that there are safety checks in place to assure whatever is sold is not abused by the purchaser.