DfT announces crackdown on uninsured driving

A package of measures to crack down on uninsured motorists was announced last week at the launch of the Greenaway Report into uninsured driving.

The report made wide-ranging recommendations for reducing the current levels of uninsured driving in the UK - it is estimated that around one million motorists are driving without insurance.

Figures show that these drivers are 10 times more likely to have been convicted of drink driving, six times more likely to have been convicted of driving an unsafe vehicle and three times more likely to have been convicted of driving without due care and attention.

Accidents involving these motorists cost over £200 million a year - adding up to £30 a year to motor premiums of law abiding motorists.

The DfT plans to give the police the power to seize and, in appropriate cases, destroy vehicles that are being driven uninsured. It also wants to link the DVLA's Vehicle Register and the Motor Insurance Databases, allowing police to know which vehicles on the road are uninsured. In addition, the DfT wants fixed penalties for people who ignore reminders that their insurance has expired

The DfT also wants to see concerted action by insurance companies to continue to improve the Motor Insurance Database, simpler and clearer notification procedures so that no one is in any doubt when their insurance expires, and automatic reminders sent out to motorists who forget to insure on time.

"The government is determined to tackle head on the menace of uninsured driving," road safety minister David Jamieson said. "That is why we plan to give the police the power to seize and destroy vehicles that are being driven illegally, and to increase police powers to make detection and enforcement more effective.

"We are also working closely with the insurance industry to improve detection of drivers who fail to insure their vehicles and to raise awareness of the need for motor insurance. The message to the small hard core of anti social motorists who drive without insurance is clear - uninsured driving is unacceptable."

For further information go to http://www.dft.gov.uk/pns/Display