Region one of worst for uninsured drivers
Thursday 24th September 2009, 11:30AM BST.
The West Midlands has been revealed as one of the worst areas in the country for uninsured drivers.
According to figures revealed today, about 127,000 vehicles out of 1.9 million on the region’s roads without cover. Ten of the top 20 worst places for uninsured motorists have Birmingham postcodes, including Smethwick.
Handsworth and Aston were also among them as the West Midlands as a region was named joint fourth worst area in the country, with seven per cent of vehicles showing up as uninsured.
In Handsworth, near the border with Sandwell, 41 per cent of vehicles were found to have no insurance cover, with 40 per cent in the Small Heath area of the city.
Smethwick was named as the 11th worst postcode area in the country, while other areas named in the 20 worst hotspots include Newtown, Aston, Bordesley, Balsall Heath, Tyseley and Nechells Park.
Nationally, Barkerend in Bradford, West Yorkshire, was named as the country’s worst spot for uninsured drivers while the London Metropolitan region was the worst regional area, with 13 per cent of drivers having no insurance.
The figures have been released by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) as part of a campaign to stop people from avoiding insurance payments in a bid to save cash.
Up to 500 uninsured vehicles are seized each day as part of a crackdown on the offence.
Ashton West, chief executive of the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, said: “The fact that 1.7 million motorists still take to the roads without insurance is staggering; but there is no doubt that the number of drivers caught each year is increasing significantly, so drivers simply cannot afford to be complacent.
“The message to motorists is clear: driving uninsured is simply not worth the risk.”
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If one has National Insurance then why do you need any other type of insurance? It says NATIONAL INSURANCE so surely that covers every eventuality, we even have our own unique policy number (better known as N.I number. All other types of insurance are a con.
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I work between Smethwick and Handsworth and see plenty of these uninsured drivers, usually in old, un-road worthy cars that also have no MOT.
Unfortunately I don’t see any police cars round here. The police tend to only be interested in policing nice areas or in attending to their new priority crimes. Often with terms like ‘hate crimes’ or ‘incitement to hatred’.
Yet another situation where the real criminals go unpunished, while the law abiding majority go unprotected.
Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime?
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Perhaps if the Insurance Companies were to charge realistic prices there would not be so many uninsured. I pay what I consider exorbitant rates for insurance, I have no points on my licence, been driving 25 years, and never had a blame full claim ( I have claimed for car being broken into twice ) yet some companies quote almost has much in premiums has the vehicle is worth. It cant be right.
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Your two claims went against you as there was no third party to rceover in the insures costs from.
As a reuslt, your NCD would be reduced.
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Is there any reason these type of areas have uninsured drivers: Handsworth, Aston, Smethwick, Newtown, Bordesley, Balsall Heath, Tyseley and Nechells Park? Is there anything these areas have in common?
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“The message to motorists is clear: driving uninsured is simply not worth the risk.”
..yeah? Tell that to the 40% caught in Handsworth. Ooh, we better not offend certain people – how on earth would that look for New Labour? So let’s continue to see the majority treated like dirt..least until this lot are voted out. Hypocritical, arrogant and absurd – welcome to Sandwell.
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In order for you to insure your car, it’s obvious you have to have a valid driving license as well as be resident in this country..you have to have a name they can trace. It doesn’t take a professor to figure out that certain people simply do not want to be traced, and they’re prepared to put people’s live’s at risk as a result. I bet money a proportion of these people can’t see properly, aren’t qualified to even drive and can’t understand English..
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Harry, how on earth do you know they have not got insurance or mot’s? Just because a car is not in great condition doesn’t mean it’s been driven ilegally!
Mark, yes, those areas probably do have something in common… people with little money.
The main reason why people drive without insurance is the cost! Some drivers have insurance premiums of over £1,000 which is little more than the probably fine for being caught without it. It’s not hard to see how people think it’s worth the risk.
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I think the things those areas have in common is that the people in those areas are in poverty. Infact those mentioned are some of the worst in the West Midlands.
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What have they all got in common Mark? The fact that those areas have a high population of people from the countries we have destroyed?
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I have been through many of these areas but you never see any Police cars around there for some reason.
If the problem is so bad in these areas why don’t the Police focus on these areas more? I suspect that Political Correctness is to blame, I can’t see any other reason why the Police do not take any action.
Obviously the uninsured drivers know that there is not much chance of them being caught so the problem is not going to go away unless the Police take action
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Gav reckons the people who evade insurance are those from countries whom Britain has destroyed.
His point being?
Heaven and Hell are comprised of those who make it what it is.
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Lets just hope someone from the Police Department reads the E@S and this report.
Better not send too many police around there thow we will be hearing complaints about victimisation
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