Uninsured Vehicle Seizures Hit 17-Year High

Nearly 160,000 uninsured cars were seized on UK roads last year, marking the highest number for 17 years, according to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).

The MIB estimates that approximately 300,000 uninsured vehicles are driven each day across the UK, contributing to an annual economic cost of £1 billion due to compensation, emergency services, medical expenses and lost productivity.

Hot spot areas for uninsured driving include Birmingham, which accounts for five of the top 15 postcodes in the UK for accidents involving uninsured drivers: B25, B18, B66, B21, and B35.

Other postcodes in the top 10 include Thurrock’s RM19 in Essex, PE1 in Peterborough, M18 in Manchester, Havering’s RM1 in London, and Belfast’s BT17.

In one recent police operation, West Midlands Police seized 16 vehicles for being uninsured, including a Lamborghini.

The MIB reports that someone in the UK is affected by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver every 20 minutes, with one person suffering life-altering injuries each day.

Hayley Sutcliffe of the MIB noted that areas with high turnover of residents may contribute to the issue, stating: “It’s a diverse area so people coming into the country might not know the laws and the legislation of the Road Traffic Act. We need to raise awareness around when people need to have the correct level of cover of insurance.”