23/05/2011

Motorists Warned To Get Insured Ahead Of Crackdown

Motorists are being warned to insure their vehicles ahead of a new crackdown to tackle the menace of uninsured driving.

Under the new Continuous Insurance Enforcement law – which will affect all motorists from 20 June – it is an offence to keep an uninsured vehicle, rather than just to drive when uninsured.

A national advertising campaign will be launched by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau today to raise awareness of the law.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: “Uninsured drivers are a danger on our roads, killing 160 and injuring a further 23,000 people each year, and they cost honest motorists £500 million in extra premiums. That is why we are introducing this tough new law which will leave uninsured drivers with nowhere to hide.

"Our message is clear - get insured or face a fine, court action or seeing your car seized and destroyed.”

Ashton West, Chief Executive at the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, said: “The change in law is a stepping up of enforcement activity, so that not only those vehicles driven without insurance will be caught. Now the registered keeper must make sure that their vehicle is insured all the time.

“In order to make sure everyone is aware of the new scheme, a national awareness campaign will be shown on satellite and terrestrial TV channels.

“Around four percent of vehicles have no motor insurance at any given time, and this needs to change so that is why this new enforcement approach is so important.”

(BMcN/GK)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

30 September 2005
Government propose crackdown on uninsured driving
Road Safety Minister Stephen Ladyman has announced a clamp down on uninsured drivers. Under the new proposals, which are part of the Road Safety Bill, it will become an offence to own a car that is neither insured nor registered as ‘off the road’.
23 September 2005
Lack of driver education to blame for fatal accidents
A lack of driver education is to blame for fatal accidents on motorways according to a report by an insurance company. Direct Line, the UK's largest car insurer, is calling for changes to the driving test to include education on motorway driving due to a rise in the number of accidents involving heavy goods vehicles (HGV).
11 January 2011
Uninsured Drivers Face New Crackdown
New powers to tackle uninsured driving will come into force within months, Road Safety Minister Mike Penning announced today. Under the new powers it will be an offence to keep an uninsured vehicle, rather than just to drive when uninsured.
27 April 2009
Law Change Allows Motorists To Fly The Flag
Patriotic motorists in Wales will be able to display their national flag on their number plates, following a change in the law. Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon announced the change, which means the 1.7 million vehicles registered in Wales will be able to display the red dragon emblem.
23 May 2011
'Car Insurance Needed' - Even When Not Driven
British motorists are being warned to insure their vehicles ahead of a new crackdown to tackle the menace of uninsured driving. Under the new Continuous Insurance Enforcement law - which will affect all motorists from June 20 - it is an offence to keep an uninsured vehicle on the road, rather than just to drive when uninsured.