MIB targets young uninsured drivers

by Gill Montia

Story link: MIB targets young uninsured drivers

The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) is raising awareness of insurance issues amongst young motorists, some of whom appear not to be aware of the importance of car insurance and the risks of driving when not insured.

The MIB believes that young men are the most likely group to get behind the wheel with no insurance, and is encouraging driving school instructors to help deal with the problem, as large numbers of young people, but particularly young males aged between 18 and 21, currently drive without insurance.

The latest figures available show that 15% of drivers admitting to having no insurance were aged between 17 and 21 and 48% were under 30 years of age.

The Bureau has joined with Thames Valley Police to provide a new hotline that will allow officers to check the insurance status of a car within a few minutes and there are plans to expand the service across the UK.

The high cost of motor insurance for young drivers is an obvious reason for the large numbers not complying with the law but according to the MIB some young motorists are also not fully aware of the need to protect other road users, as well as themselves.

The Association of British Insurers estimates that uninsured motoring in the UK costs approximately £500,000,000 each year and the levy paid by insured motorists to compensate for this is in excess of £350,000,000.