Uninsured drivers risk being ‘shopped’ by friends and family

The nation’s two million uninsured drivers are at risk of being caught out, as new research reveals almost a third (29%) of honest drivers would report an uninsured driver to the authorities - even if they were a friend or family member.

The research from Churchill Car Insurance shows the UK’s general public would be more inclined to report an uninsured driver than they would a benefit cheat, a thief or a dodgy salesman in a bid to ‘curb’ the numbers of uninsured drivers currently on the road.

Furthermore, 87% would refuse to get in a car if they knew the driver was uninsured, and more than one in ten (13%) think it’s an offence worse than speeding or driving while impaired through drink or drugs.

However, most Brits grossly overestimate the severity of the penalties for uninsured driving, with 58% thinking the fine is as much as £2000. Only one in four (25%) actually pinpointed the correct reprimand of a £200 fixed penalty notice.

Frances Browning spokesperson for Churchill Insurance commented: “It is obvious that drivers in the UK feel the current fixed penalty for uninsured driving is far too low, with 35% claiming the fine should be increased to at least £1,000 putting it in line with being caught without a TV licence – a considerably less serious offence.”

Browning continues; “The fine needs to rise to become much more of a deterrent for anybody thinking of driving without insurance. A fixed penalty fine of just £200 is less than the cost of the average premium and the balance needs to be redressed to help eradicate uninsured driving.”

The UK’s honest drivers offered a number of suggestions that could prove a workable deterrent to uninsured drivers such as destroying the car of anybody caught flouting the need for insurance and or making them undertake community service.

The public’s perception of the uninsured drivers is compounded by the fact that 83% of honest drivers think people who drive without a licence would be more inclined to commit other crimes.