Northamptonshire Police joins national campaign to crack down on uninsured drivers

Officers from Northamptonshire Police are getting behind a national campaign which aims to reduce the number of uninsured drivers on the UK’s roads.

The Safer Roads and Road Crime Teams, supported by colleagues from the wider Force, are backing the week-long initiative as part of the Force’s commitment to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.

Operation Drive Insured started yesterday (Monday, November 21), and will see an increase in roads policing activity across the county in a bid to detect and seize uninsured vehicles that are using the road network illegally and irresponsibly.

Developed by MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau) in partnership with the National Roads Policing Operations, Intelligence, and Investigations (NRPOII) committee, the week of action is an annual date in the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s (NPCC) road safety calendar.

Figures from MIB show that so far this year, more than 100,000 uninsured vehicles have been seized, and in 2021 there were 27,216 claims from victims who were injured by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver across the UK.

Evidence from MIB shows drivers without insurance are more likely to commit a ‘hit and run’ and be involved in other crimes, be it using a stolen vehicle, driving while disqualified or without a valid driving licence. Some are also caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

One of the reasons for this is that unlike insured drivers, those who are uninsured aren’t motivated to display safer behaviour and meet the basic legal requirements designed to keep policy costs down.

MIB requires £500 million each year to provide financial support to those who are involved in road collisions with uninsured and hit-and-run drivers, which is funded by insurers and ultimately consumers.

Inspector Tony Kennedy of the Force’s Central Operations Team said: “Reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads remains our priority and removing uninsured drivers from our roads helps to do just that.

“Using ANPR (Automated Number Plate Recognition) technology available in Force, we will be carrying out a combination of mobile and static road checks, throughout Operation Drive Insured.

“Many people will see uninsured driving as a victimless crime at best, or as only impacting on the profits of large insurance companies at worst but this is not the case.

“However, we witness far too often, the devastation a road collision has on those involved, their families and the wider communities but when this also involves an uninsured driver, there is also the financial costs associated with it.”

Drivers without insurance face their vehicle being seized and potentially crushed, along with a £300 fixed penalty notice and six licence points. 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.

Members of the public are encouraged to check that their vehicle is appearing as insured on the MID for free at www.askmid.com or to contact their insurer for support.