The Government is cracking down on uninsured drivers by proposing that any motorist who owns a car without insurance should be fined £1,000. The fine will apply even if the car is garaged or parked on private land, and furthermore, any car left on the street without insurance will be clamped or taken away.
It is estimated that an astonishing two million motorists currently drive uninsured cars in the UK, responsible for 23,000 injuries per year - and 160 deaths. Around £30 is added to every insurance premium as a result. Currently the law states that driving an uninsured car is an offence; owning one is not in itself a crime.
The proposal has come under attack because of fears that some will find themselves £1,000 out of pocket for inadvertently letting an unused car's insurance lapse. An RAC Foundation spokesman said: "In principle this scheme is a good thing. But it must be flexible and take into account genuine situations where people have been unable to reinsure their cars - perhaps they are on holiday or have been called away on a family emergency."
If the new laws come into force, the DVLA will check every car owner's insurance details monthly, sending out a reminder if the policy has lapsed. If that is ignored, a £100 spot fine is issued, reduced to £50 if paid within 21 days. If that is ignored the issue will be pursued through the courts, with a criminal record and maximum £1,000 fine possible. The Department for Transport is defending the scheme, however, claiming increased powers will see more insurance offenders taken off the road. Currently 400 uninsured cars per day are seized by police.
Mark Nichol
So what happens if i have to take my car off the road for a month if i have to save some cash!? :rant:
Tougher penalties for uninsured motorists
The Government is cracking down on uninsured drivers by proposing that any motorist who owns a car without insurance should be fined £1,000. The fine will apply even if the car is garaged or parked on private land, and furthermore, any car left on the street without insurance will be clamped or taken away.
It is estimated that an astonishing two million motorists currently drive uninsured cars in the UK, responsible for 23,000 injuries per year - and 160 deaths. Around £30 is added to every insurance premium as a result. Currently the law states that driving an uninsured car is an offence; owning one is not in itself a crime.
The proposal has come under attack because of fears that some will find themselves £1,000 out of pocket for inadvertently letting an unused car's insurance lapse. An RAC Foundation spokesman said: "In principle this scheme is a good thing. But it must be flexible and take into account genuine situations where people have been unable to reinsure their cars - perhaps they are on holiday or have been called away on a family emergency."
If the new laws come into force, the DVLA will check every car owner's insurance details monthly, sending out a reminder if the policy has lapsed. If that is ignored, a £100 spot fine is issued, reduced to £50 if paid within 21 days. If that is ignored the issue will be pursued through the courts, with a criminal record and maximum £1,000 fine possible. The Department for Transport is defending the scheme, however, claiming increased powers will see more insurance offenders taken off the road. Currently 400 uninsured cars per day are seized by police.
Mark Nichol
So what happens if i have to take my car off the road for a month if i have to save some cash!? :rant: