Over 900 uninsured vehicles seized in Suffolk in 2023

Police in Suffolk seized 918 uninsured vehicles across the county between January and December last year, which is an average of 2.5 vehicles every day.

Uninsured vehicles pose a significant risk to other road users, as if you are involved in a collision with someone who is not appropriately insured, it could leave you significantly out of pocket should you require medical care, property repairs, or other support.

All police forces submit monthly vehicle seizure statistics to MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau), the UK entity responsible for compensating individuals involved in a collision with an uninsured driver, or a driver who fails to stop.

Officers out on patrol are able to use Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras built into police cars to detect vehicles that do not have insurance. If the driver is then unable to provide any proof of insurance, the vehicle is seized.

Other consequences could include: six penalty points on your licence; a fixed penalty of £300; and paying a fee to have your vehicle released. Vehicles will only be released back to the owner once they have bought valid insurance and failure to comply with these conditions could result in it being crushed.

Should the case go to court offenders face the prospect of an unlimited fine and being disqualified from driving.

Inspector Gary Miller, of the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team, said: “These statistics clearly demonstrate the proactive work our officers are undertaking every day to keep our roads safe.

“Anyone who thinks that driving a car without insurance is not that serious, should speak to people who have been involved in a collision where they have not been able to claim for the damage caused to their vehicle, or for any medical care they may have required as a consequence.

“In many cases, vehicles being deliberately driven without insurance are an indicator of other offences – from driving without a licence, to using a stolen vehicle or other criminality – particularly drug-dealing.

“Without any doubt, identifying and removing these vehicles from our roads helps make the county a safer place for everyone.”

Tim Passmore, Police & Crime Commissioner for Suffolk, said: “I find it absolutely staggering that anyone would get behind the wheel of a vehicle without insurance.

“I fully support the Constabulary’s proactive approach to enforcement and with the automatic number plate recognition equipment in police vehicles the chances of being caught is significant. So my message to those who deliberately drive uninsured is, be warned Suffolk’s roads policing officers are on the case.”

Simon French, Law Enforcement Liaison Officer at MIB, said: “We work closely with the police throughout the year, including our colleagues across Norfolk and Suffolk, to get dangerous uninsured vehicles off the road.

“Tackling uninsured driving isn’t about getting people to pay premiums – data shows us that those who deliberately drive uninsured cause more frequent and, often, more catastrophic collisions too, so it’s about making roads safer and fairer for everyone. Our message is simple: drive properly insured, or you will be caught.”