Drivers back higher fines for uninsured drivers
A new YouGov survey has revealed that nearly eight in 10 UK adults back higher fines for uninsured drivers.
Government figures estimate that uninsured driving costs the UK up to £1bn a year in compensation for victims, emergency services, medical costs and loss of productivity.
Someone is a victim of an uninsured or hit-and-run driver every 20 minutes, while historical data also shows that uninsured drivers are more likely to speed, more likely to have a defective vehicle, more likely to be a convicted drink-driver, and more likely to be involved in a fatal collision.
The YouGov research found that 78% of British adults believe the current £300 fine for driving an uninsured vehicle is too lenient, with 75% supporting raising the fine to £1,200.
Accelerating to Zero
The Motor Insurance Bureau is now calling on the government to raise fines for uninsured driving as part of its new five-year strategy, Accelerating to Zero.
Angus Eaton, CEO at MIB, said: “Over the last 80 years, we’ve achieved a great deal as an organisation in managing claims and tackling the wider uninsured driving problem. But we know that in simply managing claims, we’re not dealing with the problem early enough because uninsured drivers still wreck lives. And it’s getting harder to solve. Accelerating to Zero is our commitment to end uninsured driving for good.
“A first step is working with the government to increase fines for those driving uninsured. We believe that the current penalty of £300, which hasn’t changed in over ten years, simply isn’t enough of a deterrent. We’re calling for the penalty to be raised so that it is double the average premium, to help eradicate the issue.
“Accelerating to Zero is an ambitious plan, but we believe that in five years’ time we will be able to look back and be proud that we’re much closer to ending uninsured driving.”
