Police launch national campaign to protect road users from uninsured drivers
‘Operation Drive Insured’ - developed by MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau) in partnership with the National Roads Policing Operations, Intelligence and Investigation (NRPOII) committee - will see increased roads policing activity to detect and seize uninsured vehicles.
Last year 137,410 vehicles were seized for no insurance.
Each year in the UK nearly one in every five road traffic collisions is caused by uninsured and untraced drivers and evidence also shows drivers without insurance are more likely to commit a ‘hit and run’ and be involved in other crimes.
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Hide AdMIB paid out £322 million in compensation in 2019 to victims of uninsured collisions.
Figures from the Department for Transport indicate these collisions cost the economy a further £2 billion a year in emergency services, medical care, loss of productivity and property damage.
Police can access the Motor Insurance Database (MID) to quickly spot if a vehicle appears to be uninsured. If disputed by the driver, MIB can quickly liaise with insurers to confirm if valid insurance exists.
Uninsured drivers vehicles could be seized and potentially crushed, along with a £300 fixed penalty notice and six licence points.
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Hide AdThey can also be referred to court and face an unlimited fine and a driving ban. Uninsured convictions also show on basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks which can impact employment prospects.
To check if a vehicle is showing as insured on the MID, drivers can look for free at the Ask MID website.