Record number of uninsured vehicles seized in one day across West Midlands
A record 71 uninsured vehicles were seized in one day across West Midlands during a national crackdown.
Police in the West Midlands have seized a record number of uninsured vehicles in one day as part of a national crackdown.
71 vehicles were seized yesterday (April 21) during an operation aimed at tackling people driving without insurance.
West Midlands Police officers worked closely with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) to identify and stop drivers who fail to insure their vehicles.
Police say uninsured drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in road collisions and are often linked to wider criminal activity. Recent operations have uncovered serious crimes including violent offences, drug supply and knife crime.
Reacting to the record, Superintendent Jack Hadley, Head of Roads Policing Unit, said: "Our role is to prevent people being killed or being seriously injured on our roads. Driving without insurance is a serious risk to everyone on the road. If you choose to break the law, you’re not only endangering lives but also jeopardising your own future.
"People may think that we are just picking on innocent motorists but driving without insurance is dangerous, costly, and can have life-changing consequences. While most people pay to have insurance, we will not allow those who choose not to, to get away with it.
"We are running operations across our force area to tackle uninsured drivers. Our officers are working around the clock, every single day, to identify uninsured drivers and take action. We will find you, we will seize your vehicle, and we will prosecute. The message is simple: stay insured, drive responsibly, and help us keep our roads safe."
In the UK, every driver must have at least third-party insurance before driving. Despite this, thousands of motorists continue to take the risk, putting themselves and others in danger.
Drivers caught without insurance can face serious penalties, including a £300 fine and six penalty points. In more serious cases, they could receive an unlimited fine, a driving ban, and have their vehicle seized and destroyed.
Police warned that losing a vehicle can have a major impact on daily life, affecting journeys to work, school runs and other essential travel.
To check if you are insured correctly visit the MIB website.