3m motorists suffer crashes with uninsured drivers

by Richard Kilner

Story link: 3m motorists suffer crashes with uninsured drivers

One in 10 motorists (3.3 million) have been involved in a crash with an uninsured driver, according to new research commissioned by Direct Line and road safety charity Brake.

Of the accidents involving an uninsured driver, 25% of them saw someone injured and 4% of these led to one or more deaths.

Immorality is often added to illegality, with 17% of uninsured drivers leaving the scene of their crash with little concern for the others involved.

Thirty-two percent of those who stayed at the scene lied and claimed they were insured, and 23% tried to avoid getting insurers involved.

Andy Goldby, Director of Motor Underwriting at Direct Line car insurance, explained that uninsured drivers cost other motorists £30 a year through higher premiums but that their real cost is the disregard for other peoples’ lives.

Goldby stated that drivers without insurance are not committing a victimless crime, and called for harsher penalties against them.

In January Road Safety Minister Mike Penning announced measures, due to take effect in a few months, to help tackle uninsured drivers and made it an offence to be the registered keeper of a vehicle which does not have insurance.