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One in fifteen motorists with no insurance
- 7th November 2007
Government figures show that there are more
than two million uninsured vehicles on the UK's roads, this
equates to almost one in fifteen.
Previous research showed that uninsured
drivers involved in
road accidents are the most likely to
drive off after an accident.
It has also been found that they are ten
times more likely to
drink and drive.
Opposition MPs say ministers are "grossly
underestimating" the problem, and that not only are theses
drivers committing more crimes, but are also leaving law-abiding
drivers to foot the bill with increased insurance premiums of on
average 30.
Department
of transport figures show an increase of 100,000 uninsured
motorists in just 1 year, this amounts to 6.5% of all drivers.
Jim Fitzpatrick, Transport Minister said: "There are about 2.1
million licensed vehicles, about 6.5 percent of the UK vehicle
fleet being driven by uninsured drivers." "We have no long-term
evidence on trends and there is some evidence from the insurance
industry showing that for the year 2006 there was a 4.2 percent
drop in
claims for compensation for the victims of uninsured drivers."
The Police now have increased powers to
seize the cars of uninsured drivers using automatic number plate
recognition.
They are reported to be catching around
1,500 drivers a week using these new measures.
The
Association of British Insurers has released figures showing
that uninsured drivers are six times more likely to drive a
non-roadworthy vehicle, ten times more likely to have a
conviction for drinking and driving and three times more likely
to have a conviction of diving without due care and attention.
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