Direct Line calls for uninsured drivers to face tougher penalties

Direct Line is calling for uninsured drivers to face tougher penalties after new fine levels for uninsured drivers could be as little as £50.

Continuous Insurance Enforcement (the Government's new powers to tackle uninsured drivers), is being launched in the Spring. Initially a fine of £100 will be issued, but if paid promptly it reduces to £50 and is unlikely to deter the persistent uninsured driver.  A driver could eventually be fined up to £1000, however, Direct Line believes greater clarity is needed on how it would increase, in order for it to be a real deterrent.

Direct Line canvassed opinion amongst drivers and its own research found that fed up UK motorists want to see immediate fines of around £900 for those caught driving uninsured. This is over four times more than the current fine of £200 and 18 times more than the new proposed fine of £50.

Andy Goldby, Director of Motor Underwriting at Direct Line, says, "We welcome this initiative, but with uninsured drivers costing British society around £500 million each year, the severity of penalties must act as a deterrent to those considering driving without insurance.

"Direct Line fully supports what the UK's fed up motorists want. Those responsible drivers who insure their cars have had enough of the additional £30 on their premiums that these uninsured drivers cost them. They want harsher penalties, larger fines and a hotline to give information on those driving uninsured, although most of all, they want decisive action."

Fines are not the only thing motorists want to see increased, 34 per cent want those caught driving uninsured to have to take their driving test again and 28 per cent want a life ban for those caught.

Not only do motorists want larger fines and harsher sentences, 77 per cent of them would like an uninsured drivers hotline or website, where they could ‘shop' someone they know is driving uninsured.

With accidents involving uninsured drivers killing around 160 road users each year, the new proposed fines stand in stark contrast to the maximum penalties for a range of perceived lesser misdemeanours such as;

Failure to pay your TV licence fee: £1,000
Smoking in a smoke-free place: £200
Conviction for graffiti: £5,000
Fare evasion on London buses: £1,000
Overfilling your bin: £110

Direct Line is one of the few insurers to offer as standard a nil excess and maintain its customers' No Claims Discount if they are hit by an uninsured driver. With uninsured drivers already adding around £30 to everyone's insurance premium, drivers shouldn't have to pay even more if they are hit by an uninsured driver.

For more information on the features of Direct Line's car insurance, visit directline.co.uk.