Transport Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick has announced plans for a consultation paper on looking at new ways to address the problem of uninsured drivers on our UK roads by harnessing computer technology.
There are at present databases managed by different organisations that Mr Fitzpatrick would like to encourage to work together by the end of the consultation, hopefully leading to fewer uninsured drivers getting away with it.
It is anticipated that The Motor Insurance Bureau maintain a database which will be compared with the DVLA registered keeper database, so anyone owning a car without a valid car insurance policy recorded on the other database will be easily identified.
It is estimated that there are approximately 1.5 million vehicles in the UK that are suspected of being driven without the legal minimum insurance requirements as laid down in the Road Traffic Act 1988 Part V1, Section 143 which defines the compulsory insurance requirements for motor users and these drivers currently cost those complying with the law around £30 extra on their car insurance policies each year according to the Motor Insurance Bureau.
Now, it may be tempting to take the risk of driving your car uninsured even for a short period of time but big brother will soon be watching even more closely so please take extra care, protect yourselves, your families and friends and make sure that you do not drive your car on the road without a valid insurance policy.
There is little worse than being involved in an accident whether minor or fatal, and finding that we have no form of recourse against the 3rd Party.
There is no need to completely despair if you do find yourselves involved in an accident with an uninsured driver however, there is some help available. Please have a read of my article entitled “Uninsured Losses” published on Wednesday 06 August 2008 for further information.