Police launch national campaign to protect road users from uninsured drivers

Until November 1 all of the UK’s 43 police forces are set to engage in a national effort to help reduce uninsured driving levels.
By Caitlyn Dewar
Published 25th Oct 2020, 16:45 BST
Updated 26th Oct 2020, 15:38 BST
Roads policing units are undertaking Operation Drive Insured, which will see enhanced enforcement activity to reduce the level of uninsured vehicles on UK roads.Roads policing units are undertaking Operation Drive Insured, which will see enhanced enforcement activity to reduce the level of uninsured vehicles on UK roads.
Roads policing units are undertaking Operation Drive Insured, which will see enhanced enforcement activity to reduce the level of uninsured vehicles on UK roads.

‘Operation Drive Insured’ - developed by MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau) in partnership with the National Roads Policing Operations, Intelligence and Investigation (NRPOII) committee - will see increased roads policing activity to detect and seize uninsured vehicles.

Last year 137,410 vehicles were seized for no insurance.

Each year in the UK nearly one in every five road traffic collisions is caused by uninsured and untraced drivers and evidence also shows drivers without insurance are more likely to commit a ‘hit and run’ and be involved in other crimes.

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MIB paid out £322 million in compensation in 2019 to victims of uninsured collisions.

Figures from the Department for Transport indicate these collisions cost the economy a further £2 billion a year in emergency services, medical care, loss of productivity and property damage.

Police can access the Motor Insurance Database (MID) to quickly spot if a vehicle appears to be uninsured. If disputed by the driver, MIB can quickly liaise with insurers to confirm if valid insurance exists.

Uninsured drivers vehicles could be seized and potentially crushed, along with a £300 fixed penalty notice and six licence points.

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They can also be referred to court and face an unlimited fine and a driving ban. Uninsured convictions also show on basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks which can impact employment prospects.

To check if a vehicle is showing as insured on the MID, drivers can look for free at the Ask MID website.

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