The epidemic of uninsured drivers continues to blight our roads.

However, renewed efforts are being made to catch the criminals.

It is also hoped drivers will be made more aware of the consequences, and this will deter them from intentionally and unintentionally committing the offence.

As part of the work, new hotspots data has uncovered the worst offending areas.

A driving problem

Data has been released by MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau), the UK entity that exists to protect people from the devastation of uninsured and hit-and-run drivers.

This coincides with their annual ‘Operation Drive Insured’ campaign.

It is a week-long vital road safety initiative, running 11-17 November, and MIB is collaborating with all UK police forces to get uninsured drivers off the road.

Whilst West Midlands postal areas account for eight of the top 15 hotspots, postcodes within Northumbria, London, Thames Valley, South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester also feature.

Top uninsured hotspots

The results are based on 2 years of MIB claim data.

Rank Postal area Location
1 B11 Birmingham
2 B21 Birmingham
3 DA17 Bexley
4 WV2 Wolverhampton
5 NE29 North Tyneside
6 HP12 Buckinghamshire
7 B18 Birmingham
8 SK1 Stockport
9 B8 Birmingham
10 WS4 Walsall
11 CV7 Solihull
12 BL7 Bolton
13 B33 Birmingham
14 DN8 Doncaster
15 MK7 Milton Keynes

Interestingly, 30 claims against uninsured drivers from Croydon were submitted to MIB.

This represents the highest number in one postal district in the UK, butdue to the area’s dense population, it only ranks 176th on the hotspot list.

Call the cops

Road policing units across the UK will be carrying out additional checks on motorists in problem areas throughout Operation Drive Insured in a bid to tackle the plague of uninsured drivers.

Utilising data provided by MIB and partners will help focus their efforts more effectively.

This includes:

  • Navigate – the central record of all active motor insurance policies managed by MIB.
  • Operation Tutelage markers – where cars passing ANPR cameras on previous occasions have been compared to data held on Navigate. Uninsured vehicles with an Operation Tutelage marker are then flagged to police and dealt with roadside.
  • Predictive Movements – to narrow down the expected movements of known uninsured vehicles.

So far this year, almost 115,000 uninsured drivers have had their vehicles seized through the work of MIB in conjunction with police.

However, current estimates from MIB indicate an average of 300,000 uninsured vehicles on UK roads every day.

Martin Saunders, Head of Environment at MIB, believes the annual campaign is essential for highlighting the issue of uninsured drivers and reminding drivers of their responsibilities.

“Whilst we focus on uninsured driving every day of the year, Operation Drive Insured is key in ensuring this societal issue remains on the agenda. We’re working closely with the police the length and breadth of the UK to ensure that these dangerous vehicles are identified and removed from our roads.

“With such a clear link to secondary offences and fatal collisions, we know that the benefits of Operation Drive Insured will be widely felt across the UK, making roads and communities safer. This operation is just one more way, alongside a wider range of initiatives, in which we’re making sure that those flouting the law have nowhere to hide.”

 Ian’s story

Ian was on the way home from the office when he was hit by a stolen lorry.

The drivers of the truck made off on foot, but Ian was left with a badly damaged car and little hope of help until MIB got involved.

“I’d just set off from the traffic lights and, all of a sudden, there was an almighty crash. There were shards of glass all over the passenger seat and dashboard. I was shunted over to the other side of the road and it was all bit of a blur. I got out to have a look and saw this lorry on my car.”

Not initially noticing any injuries, Ian was grateful to be able to walk away.

However, the following day, he realised something wasn’t right.

His shoulder hurt, and he could only lift his arm part of the way into the air.

He needed injections into his shoulder over the coming months and can still feel the injury to this day.

As the lorry was stolen, with cloned plates and the drivers nowhere to be seen, his insurers provided initial support before advising him to contact MIB, who then started the process to get Ian compensation for the injuries he received.

MIB’s involvement and subsequent award of compensation meant Ian has been able to move on.

“It allowed me to think about getting on with life. You’ve got bills to pay and you don’t really want to get into debt through something that’s not your own fault. Getting a claim from MIB definitely helped to alleviate some of the stress that was involved.

 “When I look back, actually I was really, really lucky to get out of that one. I’d be much happier if there were no uninsured drivers on the road.”

 Counting the costs

Many victims of uninsured drivers are not as lucky as Ian.

Every 20 minutes, someone in the UK is hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver, and, tragically, each day, at least one person suffers injuries so severe they need life-long care.

Uninsured driving is, sadly, not a standalone issue, with over 60% of uninsured vehicles seized by the police as part of Operation Tutelage being linked to secondary offences, including drink and drug driving, stolen vehicles or property, and serious organised crime networks.

It also has a hugely significant economic impact.

MIB estimates all injuries caused by uninsured and hit-and-run drivers potentially cost the economy nearly £2.4 billion a year in emergency services, medical care, loss of productivity and human costs.

The penalties

Uninsured drivers receive a £300 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence.

If stopped by police, the vehicle may be seized, a third of these will be crushed.

Court cases can result in an unlimited fine and a driving ban.

The consequences of being caught driving uninsured can affect every part of your life.

Whilst many of those who have their vehicles seized and crushed are purposely flouting the law, MIB points out that this can also occur accidentally.

Top tips to ensure your insurance remains valid:

  • Don’t assume your motor insurance policy is set to auto-renew
  • Check your payment method is still valid when your renewal is due
  • Don’t assume that fully-comprehensive cover allows you to drive someone else’s vehicle
  • Remember to SORN a vehicle if it is being taken off the road and not used
  • Check your insurance allows for the class-of-use required, such as commuting or making food or parcel deliveries

If you’re not sure about your insurance status, you can check here.