No Tax, MOT…..Clamped

The RAC Foundation gave a cautious welcome to the Lord Chancellor’s plans to take some motoring offences outside the court system and to use wheel clamping to target some untaxed vehicles.

However the Foundation stressed that safeguards must be in place to ensure that vehicles were not clamped due to bureaucratic bungling. Vehicles that were taxed but displayed no disc, which could have fallen off or have been stolen, should not be targeted. Consideration should also be given to the location of the vehicle as clamping might not be practical or safe in all cases. If the vehicle is parked dangerously it may warrant towing away.

Commenting, Edmund King, executive director of the RAC Foundation, said: " Most motorists will welcome the targeting of the motoring underclass who continue to drive with out tax, insurance or MOT. These one million or so motorists are more likely to be involved in accidents and hit and run incidents. Immobilising these vehicles will be a step in the right direction.

"However, safeguards must be in place to ensure that legitimate motorists are not immobilised due to bureaucratic breakdowns."

The Foundation also supports further measures outlined to target uninsured motorists.

The RAC Foundation dossier on uninsured drivers reveals:

35.1 % of male drivers aged 18-20 have driven without insurance or a licence
21.5% of 16-17 yr old males have driven without insurance or licence
9.2% of 16-17 yr old females have committed the same offence
30% of males and 12% of females aged 21 to 25 have also offended
The Motor Insurance Bureau paid out £500 million to the victims of uninsured motorists last year. This is paid out of the premiums of honest motorists.
Approximately 16% of uninsured drivers get convicted each year
One in ten drivers have been involved in an accident with an uninsured driver
Uninsured drivers are up to nine times more likely to be involved in an accident
Uninsured drivers are more likely to be involved in hit and run collisions.