Drivers Face £300 Fines in Police Crackdown

Police have impounded dozens of uninsured vehicles in just 48 hours during a major crackdown in Luton and Peterborough, leaving drivers facing tough penalties for road traffic offences.

According to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), 60 vehicles were targeted in the operation, which reminded motorists that driving without valid insurance is illegal.

The action, led by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) Roads Policing Unit alongside the MIB, took place last week. It marked the second major clampdown this year, following a sweep in March that saw 43 uninsured cars removed from Luton’s roads in only eight hours.

Police targeted areas known for high levels of uninsured driving, using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras combined with MIB’s “Navigate” insurance database. More than 20 officers from roads policing and community teams were deployed, supported by MIB analysts providing live intelligence.

Sergeant Ian Leeson of BCH Roads Policing warned that uninsured motorists put others at risk and push up insurance costs for everyone.

“Uninsured drivers bring devastation to victims of their reckless choices,” he said. “They also increase costs for law-abiding motorists, as premiums rise to cover compensation payouts. These vehicles are often linked to wider criminal activity, so tackling them makes our roads safer.”

MIB highlighted that in the UK someone is struck by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver every 20 minutes, with at least one person a day suffering life-changing injuries. The wider economic toll is estimated at £1 billion annually, factoring in medical care, compensation, emergency services and productivity losses.

Police also uncovered a series of other offences during the sweep:

• 10 vehicles had no valid road tax.

• 10 were being driven without an MOT.

• Several motorists were found driving on provisional licences without supervision or L-plates.

• One driver was caught behind the wheel despite being banned for eight years.

• Officers also seized falsified insurance documents.

Under UK law, driving without insurance can result in a £300 fine and six penalty points. In more serious cases brought before a court, offenders face unlimited fines or even a driving ban.

Martin Saunders, MIB’s Head of Uninsured Driving Prevention, said some drivers knowingly broke the law while others were caught out by mistakes such as failed renewals, bounced payments or incorrect policy details.

He urged motorists to double-check their insurance is valid: “We don’t want anyone to find themselves uninsured by accident.”

Campaigners have been calling for stronger enforcement as uninsured drivers continue to pose a widespread threat, with hundreds of thousands still on UK roads. More joint operations between the BCH Roads Policing Unit and MIB are already being planned.

“By working together to tackle uninsured driving, we can deliver benefits felt right across the community,” Mr Saunders added.

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