23 May 2011

Uninsured Drivers Warned of New Crackdown

The new crackdown on uninsured driving is being promoted with a TV campaign under the Continuous Insurance Enforcement law.

The new crackdown on uninsured driving is being promoted with a TV campaign under the Continuous Insurance Enforcement law.

The new law will affect all motorists from June 20th, making it an offence to keep an uninsured vehicle compared to the previous law which makes it just an offence to drive when uninsured.

The Motor Insurers' Bureau is launching a national advertising campaign to raise awareness of this.

"Our message is clear – get insured or face a fine, court action or seeing your car seized and destroyed,” commented Mike Penning, Road Safety Minister.

According to official data, uninsured drivers kill on average 160 and injure 23,000 people, while adding £500 million onto premiums causing honest drivers to take the brunt.

"The change in law is a stepping up of enforcement activity, so that not only those vehicles driven without insurance will be caught,”added Ashton West, Motor Insurers' Bureau Chief Executive.

The new system will see the DVLA work in partnership with the Motor Insurers' Bureau to identify uninsured vehicles, and motorists will receive a letter warning them to take action before they are fined. If the motorist fails to then insure their vehicle they will get a £100 fine.

If the vehicle is on public land it could be clamped, seized and destroyed if the motorist continues to ignore the fine, or court action could be taken, where a fine of up to £1,000 could be given.

"The enforcement of the new law is a bold move to tackle uninsured driving and will make the roads safer,” said Graeme Trudgill, BIBA head of corporate affairs.

If a vehicle has a valid Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN) the motorist will not be required to have insurance.

According to official records, the police seize 180,000 vehicles each year without insurance.

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