Summary
Nearly 160,000 cars without insurance were taken off UK roads last year, the highest number in 17 years. The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) says high insurance costs lead many drivers to break the law, causing costs and harm across the country.
Key Facts
- About 300,000 cars are driven daily in the UK without insurance.
- Birmingham has five of the top 15 areas with uninsured driver accidents.
- Uninsured driving costs the UK economy around £1 billion yearly, covering emergency and medical expenses, victim compensation, and lost work.
- The MIB runs Operation Scalis with police to catch uninsured drivers nationwide.
- In recent police actions, cars like Lamborghinis, Mercedes, and BMWs were seized for no insurance.
- Uninsured drivers are more likely to commit other crimes, such as driving while disqualified or under the influence.
- Many caught admit they cannot afford insurance; some use "fronting," a fraud where someone else insures their car to lower costs.
- Penalties for uninsured driving include a £300 fine and six penalty points on the driver’s license.
