Uninsured driving

The facts

In the UK it's estimated there are 1.2 million people - about one in every twenty motorists currently on the road - driving without insurance.
Uninsured driving leads to an increase in road accidents, as people driving without insurance are more likely to be driving an un-roadworthy vehicle.
Accidents involving uninsured motorists cost the insurance industry up to £500 million a year. Insurers have to pay for this, which adds up to £30 a year to every motorist's insurance premium.
The fixed penalty for driving uninsured is £200 plus six penalty points - but the courts can impose fines of up to £5,000, automatic endorsement of an offender's licence with 6-8 penalty points and possible disqualification.
Insurance costs for younger drivers are significantly higher than average, and can lead to drivers choosing to drive uninsured and take to the road illegally.

We support the Government's proposals to allow the police to seize, and where appropriate, destroy, uninsured vehicles. If the driver can then pay the fine and show their insurance documents, they can have the car back.
We think the best solution is to educate drivers, and take measures to reduce uninsured driving. These should target younger motorists as they make up the majority of uninsured drivers.
We'd like to see the DVLA and Motor Insurance Databases (MID) shared, to allow fixed penalties to be sent to drivers who ignore reminders that their insurance has expired.
We welcome steps taken by the insurance industry to reduce premiums for those new drivers who have taken the post-test training course Pass Plus. The course helps improve existing skills and knowledge - but it also trains a driver to cope with situations not necessarily covered in their basic driving test.
Whatever the financial penalty uninsured drivers have to pay, it should be at least as much as an average insurance premium.

RAC Press Office
Adam Cracknell
01603 684916
adam.cracknell@aviva.co.uk