Drivers have been warned of a nationwide crackdown on uninsured drivers which could see rulebreakers issued a hefty fine and have their vehicle crushed.
The initiative launched by Northamptonshire Police is part of Operation Drive Insured, which is a week-long campaign which aims to crack down on people driving without insurance.
The operation, developed by the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) in partnership with national policing bodies, forms part of the National Police Chiefs’ Council road safety calendar.
As part of the week-long campaign, officers will increase their presence across Northamptonshire’s road network to detect and seize uninsured vehicles.
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Police forces will use ANPR cameras to target uninsured vehicles
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The police campaign reflects a nationwide commitment to reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on local roads.
Multiple teams across the force will support the operation after alarming figures revealed that more than 129,000 uninsured vehicles were seized across the UK last year.
The MIB recorded 35,000 claims from victims who were injured by uninsured or hit-and-run drivers during the same period. An average of 300,000 uninsured vehicles are present on UK roads every day, according to the data.
More shockingly, the figures highlighted how someone is hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver every 20 minutes.
Uninsured motorists are more likely to be involved in other criminal activities, including driving stolen vehicles, operating without a valid licence, and drink or drug driving.
During the campaign police will use Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera technology to help identify uninsured vehicles. Officers will conduct both mobile and static road checks across the county using the detection system.
Inspector Ian Wills of the Force’s Central Operations Team said: “Reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads remains our priority and removing uninsured drivers from our roads helps to do just that.
“Many people will see uninsured driving as a victimless crime at best, or as only impacting on the profits of large insurance companies at worst, but this is not the case.”
According to the MIB, the financial impact of uninsured driving costs the UK economy and insurance providers more than £2.4billion annually.
Wills added: “We witness far too often the devastation a road collision has on those involved, their families and the wider community. When this also involves an uninsured driver, there is also the financial cost associated with it.”
Drivers caught without insurance face severe penalties, including immediate vehicle seizure with the risk of their car being crushed. A £300 fixed penalty notice could also be issued alongside six points on a driving licence.
In more serious cases drivers could be given an unlimited fine and a driving ban. But the consequences extend beyond just penalties with uninsured driving convictions now appearing on basic Disclosure and Barring Service checks.
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Police forces seized 120,000 uninsured vehicles being used on UK roads
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James Dalton, Chief Services Officer at the MIB, said it is really important to continue reducing the level of uninsured driving on the roads.
“Having 300,000 uninsured drivers on UK roads every day is hugely unfair to those who are insured, who effectively have to pay through their premiums for all claims made to MIB,” he stated.
He added that the organisation hopes people will “maintain continuous, appropriate” insurance on their vehicle and try and find legal ways to reduce premium costs which have skyrocketed over the past year, saying that it was “never worth the risk” to drive without insurance.
