Third of motorists driving without insurance in parts of the UK

Monday, 12 September 2011 10:00

One in three motorists are driving without insurance in some areas of Britain , pushing up the premiums of honest drivers, a survey has revealed.
 
According to the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), which holds records of all insured vehicles in the country, almost a third of car owners in Bordesely in Birmingham travel without insurance.
 
Other areas with similarly poor records include parts of Essex, Manchester and West Yorkshire .
 
There are thought to be 1.4 million uninsured drivers on British roads, while around 23,000 people are injured and 160 killed by uninsured and untraced drivers each year.
 
Over the last five years, the number of uninsured drivers has dropped by five per cent, but the annual cost of uninsured driving - around £500 million - adds about £30 to every motor insurance policy.
 
Ashton West, chief executive at MIB, said: "We cannot stand by and let uninsured driving continue, otherwise the honest motorist will keep paying the bills for the injury and damage caused to people and property."
 
Last week, the government announced plans to ban the controversial practice of referrals in personal injury cases, which means insurers can earn fees for tipping off lawyers about clients who could make a claim.
 
"Overall there is good progress being made to reduce the number of vehicles being driven without insurance," said Phil Gormley, road policing lead chief constable at the Association of Chief Police Officers.
 
"There are areas of the UK , however, that continue to present a challenge for enforcement authorities. The advantage that the MIB information provides is that we know where these vehicles are and can focus our attention on areas where we have the greatest impact," he added.
 
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