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Government furthers crackdown on uninsured drivers

Tough new enforcement action to crackdown on uninsured drivers was unveiled last week by transport secretary Alistair Darling .

Police forces across the country are using automatic number plate recognition cameras to spot and ultimately seize and destroy cars being driven without insurance. The cameras are linked to a database containing details of all vehicles registered in the UK that are believed to be uninsured.

"We are sending out a very clear message to those who drive without insurance - there is now no place to hide," Alistair Darling said. "The new powers to link up cameras and the insurance database will make it far easier for police to tell if passing cars are uninsured, and take action against the driver.

"On top of these powers we are creating a new offence of keeping a vehicle without insurance, which means that uninsured drivers don't even need to be on the road to be caught."

Meredydd Hughes , ACPO lead on roads policing and chief constable of South Yorkshire Police said: "Evidence indicates that up to 10% of vehicles on our roads are being used illegally and many of these will be people who drive with no insurance.

"We know that people who don't insure their vehicles, or drive with no licence or test certificate, are more likely to be involved in other criminal activity, and in collisions in which people may be killed or seriously injured.

For the full article go to: http://www.dft.gov.uk