Menu
08/11/2005
Clamp down to hit uninsured drivers
New measures to clamp down on uninsured drivers have been announced by the government.
Police forces across the country will now be able to use automatic number plate recognition cameras to spot uninsured vehicles, which can then be seized and possibly destroyed.
The cameras are linked to a database, containing details of all vehicles registered in the UK believed to be uninsured.
Once the vehicle believed to be uninsured has been stopped, police can seize it and have it removed.
The driver will have to provide proof of insurance at a police station within 14 days of the vehicle being seized. If they do not have insurance, they can be prosecuted for driving without insurance and the vehicle can be disposed of.
The new measures also include a fixed penalty for people who ignore reminders that their insurance has expired, as well as automatic reminders for motorists who to fail to reinsure their vehicle when their insurance expires.
Announcing the plans, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said that there was now “no place to hide” for uninsured drivers.
A new offence of keeping a vehicle without insurance has also been introduced. Mr Darling said that the new offence would be enforced through a new database of insurance details, meaning that uninsured drivers do not need to be on the road to be caught.
The Transport Secretary said: “It is estimated that every law-abiding motorist pays an extra £30 per year because of uninsured drivers. Drivers are rightly fed-up with those who flout the law and we are determined to rid the roads of this small hardcore of anti-social drivers.”
Meredydd Hughes, head of roads policing at the Association of Chief Police Officers 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 indeed, drive with no license or test certificate are more likely to be involved in other criminal activity and in collisions. Collisions in which people may be killed or seriously injured.”
(KMcA/SP)
Police forces across the country will now be able to use automatic number plate recognition cameras to spot uninsured vehicles, which can then be seized and possibly destroyed.
The cameras are linked to a database, containing details of all vehicles registered in the UK believed to be uninsured.
Once the vehicle believed to be uninsured has been stopped, police can seize it and have it removed.
The driver will have to provide proof of insurance at a police station within 14 days of the vehicle being seized. If they do not have insurance, they can be prosecuted for driving without insurance and the vehicle can be disposed of.
The new measures also include a fixed penalty for people who ignore reminders that their insurance has expired, as well as automatic reminders for motorists who to fail to reinsure their vehicle when their insurance expires.
Announcing the plans, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said that there was now “no place to hide” for uninsured drivers.
A new offence of keeping a vehicle without insurance has also been introduced. Mr Darling said that the new offence would be enforced through a new database of insurance details, meaning that uninsured drivers do not need to be on the road to be caught.
The Transport Secretary said: “It is estimated that every law-abiding motorist pays an extra £30 per year because of uninsured drivers. Drivers are rightly fed-up with those who flout the law and we are determined to rid the roads of this small hardcore of anti-social drivers.”
Meredydd Hughes, head of roads policing at the Association of Chief Police Officers 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 indeed, drive with no license or test certificate are more likely to be involved in other criminal activity and in collisions. Collisions in which people may be killed or seriously injured.”
(KMcA/SP)
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’.
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 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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
04 October 2012
Call For Young People Driving Overhaul
Radical measures, such as a minimum one year learning period, restrictions on night time driving and lowering the alcohol limit for driving, are now needed to reduce the high crash risk young drivers face and to lower their motor insurance costs according to a report published today by ABI.
Call For Young People Driving Overhaul
Radical measures, such as a minimum one year learning period, restrictions on night time driving and lowering the alcohol limit for driving, are now needed to reduce the high crash risk young drivers face and to lower their motor insurance costs according to a report published today by ABI.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
