Car insurance news
10,000 vehicles without proper motor insurance or tax seized by police
In Greater Manchester over 10,000 vehicles that didn't have motor insurance or road tax have now been seized by police.
For nine months a team of police, headed by Sgt Paul Philbin, has been out on the streets cracking down on people who do not have the proper cover for their cars.
He commented: "The number of drivers on the road illegally is staggering. We are determined to stop this and make roads safe for everyone."
New powers which recently came into force allow police to seize cars that do not have the proper road tax or motor insurance. The cars are then destroyed or sold on if the owner fails to reclaim the vehicle within two weeks and only returned if they pay the recovery charges, fixed penalty notice or fine, and storage costs.
Chief Insp Haydn Roberts commented on the crackdown: "We are leading the way in preventing criminals using the region's roads. We aim to continue to work closely with insurance companies and the Motor Insurers' Bureau to ensure drivers who continue to drive illegally will be brought before the courts."
The problem of driving without car insurance is one which is widespread - around 1 in 20 drivers are thought not to possess adequate cover. The effect of this on other motorists is an extra £30 on their motor insurance quote, as well as the added difficulty of claiming against an uninsured driver if there is an accident.
Drivers who do not have motor insurance have been shown to be more likely to break the law in other ways too. This includes driving away from the scene of an accident, drink driving and having a vehicle that is not fit for use on the roads.
Corrine Aldous of duck2water Car Insurance Services said: "It is amazing how many people don't have valid car insurance considering how quick, easy and cheap it is to get a motor insurance quote these days.
"We hope that the Greater Manchester Police continue to clear the roads of illegal motorists so that driving is safer for those with proper cover."