RBS Group insurer said uninsurer drivers cost British society £500m a year
Direct Line is calling for uninsured drivers to face tougher penalties under new Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) powers.
CIE is being launched in the spring to crack down on uninsured drivers, making it a punishable offence to be the registered owner of an uninsured vehicle. Uninsured drivers face an initial fine of £100, which could rise to £1000 but will be reduced to £50 if paid promptly.
A Direct Line spokesman said the firm wanted clarity on how the fine will increase for it to be a real deterrent.
According to Direct Line research, UK motorists want to see immediate fines of around £900 for those caught driving uninsured.
Andy Goldby, director of motor underwriting at Direct Line, said: “We welcome this initiative, but with uninsured drivers costing British society around £500 million each year, the severity of penalties must act as a deterrent to those considering driving without insurance."
The research also found 34% want uninsured drivers to retake their driving tests, 28% want a life ban for those driving without cover and 77% want a hotline or website to let motorists inform on uninsured drivers.
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