Penalties 'do not deter uninsured drivers'
4.09.2008
The penalty for driving without car insurance does not discourage many people from taking to the roads without cover, it has been suggested.
Andrew Howard, head of road safety for the AA, said often people do not take out insurance because they cannot afford it, while others choose to break the law and do not have driving licences or MOTs.
Mr Howard said that in 2006 the average fine for a vehicle insurance offence was £182, while some drivers were paying £1,000 a year for their car insurance policies.
"The courts have eventually got to finally sit there and impose a realistic penalty on it," he remarked.
Although some uninsured cars are being taken off the UK's roads, if people can buy a car for less than the cost of annual insurance they may choose to break the law and not take out cover, he explained.
"It all depends on how far outside the law you're prepared to live," he added.
Figures from Direct Line revealed that there are approximately 1.5 million uninsured drivers in the UK, yet just 260,000 are convicted each year.
Andrew Howard, head of road safety for the AA, said often people do not take out insurance because they cannot afford it, while others choose to break the law and do not have driving licences or MOTs.
Mr Howard said that in 2006 the average fine for a vehicle insurance offence was £182, while some drivers were paying £1,000 a year for their car insurance policies.
"The courts have eventually got to finally sit there and impose a realistic penalty on it," he remarked.
Although some uninsured cars are being taken off the UK's roads, if people can buy a car for less than the cost of annual insurance they may choose to break the law and not take out cover, he explained.
"It all depends on how far outside the law you're prepared to live," he added.
Figures from Direct Line revealed that there are approximately 1.5 million uninsured drivers in the UK, yet just 260,000 are convicted each year.