Scotland police in uninsured driver crackdown

Scottish police recorded 207 driving offences in a recent crackdown on uninsured drivers.

The campaign, which ran from 3-6 April, was coordinated by campaign was coordinated by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) and involved forces across Scotland. It was designed to catch those driving without suitable insurance.

Of the 207 recorded offences, 70 were in relation to insured drivers and 137 in relation to driving licence offences.

A total of 84 vehicles were also seized in the crackdown (see table below).

ACPOS said statistics show that in the UK, uninsured drivers are responsible for around 160 deaths and 23,000 injuries to road users every year. The estimated annual cost to the economy is £500 million, which includes every motorist having to pay around an extra £30 per annum on to their car insurance premium.

“We are committed to ensuring that Scotland’s roads are as safe as possible and in just 3 days we have caught over 200 offenders driving without a suitable licence or insurance,” Chief Superintendent Stevie Mackay from Northern Constabulary, the ACPOS lead for coordinating activity to deny criminals the use of Scotland’s roads, said in a statement. “People who knowingly drive without a driving licence or insurance are a hazard on our roads. These offenders risk the lives of other road users and cost law abiding motorists higher insurance premiums every year.

He added: “We will continue to patrol Scotland’s roads day and night targeting those who put other road users at risk.”

Motor Insurance Bureau police liaison manager Dean Smith added: “We were pleased to support the Scottish police and other police forces across the country in tackling the menace of uninsured driving in this operation and throughout the rest of the year. The success of the campaign is proof of the crucial role that the MID plays in assisting the police with on-road enforcement and keeping our roads safe.”

Source: ACPOS