Crackdown on uninsured drivers

A total of 9000 people have been detected by police since April 1, 2013, driving without insurance or a driving licence.

Many of these drivers will also have had their vehicle seized, immediately removing a significant risk from our roads.

Police Scotland will continue to influence drivers behaviour positively and enforce legislation regarding these offences during a three day initiative, which will run until Friday. Inspector Ewan Innes, from the road policing unit, said: “Motorists using vehicles without a valid policy of insurance or full and current driving licence are very obviously taking a conscious decision to flout road traffic legislation which is intended to assist in keeping the roads safe for us all

Other related maintenance offences that endanger road safety will also be targeted.

If a vehicle is driven without a valid insurance policy or the driver does not have a full current driving licence there is an obvious road safety risk.

The legislation is there to protect all road users.

The Motor Insurers’ Bureau state that uninsured and untraced drivers kill 130 people and injure 26,500 every year in the UK. The annual cost of uninsured driving is estimated to be £400 million.

There are still too many people taking the risk and driving without insurance or without a full current driving licence.

All drivers pay a financial penalty as premiums are pushed up by the irresponsible and selfish actions of some. So the law abiding motorist pays the penalty in more ways than one.

When a driver is detected for these offences they will be charged and either reported to the Procurator Fiscal or receive a conditional offer of fixed penalty.

The fine for a licence offence is £60 and an endorsement of three penalty points on their licence and for insurance offences is £200 and six penalty points on their licence.

Anyone who has information regarding uninsured or unlicensed drivers to contact Police Scotland on 101.