The number of uninsured drivers on UK roads continues to rise

Figures released by the Motor Insurers Bureau have revealed that a staggering 200 people are killed on Britain's roads every year by uninsured drivers. The problem of people driving without proper car insurance is frightening with an estimated 1.5 million motorists not having any cover; that works out at about one in twenty drivers in the UK.

The human cost of these findings is the most devastating fact, but to add to this, the insurance industry faces an annual bill of £500 million a year because of uninsured drivers. Each death that occurs because of a motorist without car insurance is estimated to cost the British taxpayer £1.2 million and each serious road accident costs as much as £140,000 the Motor Insurers Bureau say.

For honest policy holders that works out as £30 of their insurance premium that they need not pay but have to in order to provide cover for those that refuse to pay up.

Despite the number of people that are driving uninsured being on the increase, the average penalty for those that are caught has actually fallen over the past few years from £224 to just £185.

When this figure is compared to the maximum fines given out for other crimes deemed to be ‘lesser’ offences, the difference is alarming.

People convicted for graffiti face a fine of £5,000, whilst those failing to pay their TV licence are penalised £1,000. Even people overfilling their bins are asked to pay just under what uninsured drivers face as punishment.

Uninsured drivers are ten times more likely to have a drink drive conviction, six times more likely to drive an un-roadworthy vehicle and four times more likely to have a conviction for driving without due care and attention. These finding highlight the dangers that motorists without insurance pose to law-abiding people.

In the past, the law courts were in a position where they could fine uninsured drivers a maximum of £5,000, but were not able to hand down custodial sentences. However, in the summer of 2008, new legislation was passed to allow the introduction of prison sentences of up to two years for offenders who caused death when driving without insurance, without a licence or when disqualified.

Many people remain sceptical about how effective a deterrent of a prison sentence will be, with many lawbreakers assuming that if they are caught, they are likely to get a few points on their licence and a small fine. Unfortunately, at present they are probably correct with that assumption.

09/02/2009 16:57:56