Uninsured drivers in Surrey cause more frequent and dangerous collisions
Police statistics detail the number of people being convicted of deliberately driving without insurance
New figures show that Surrey Police seized 1,616 uninsured vehicles in 2023.
That equates to an average of four each day of the year.
Uninsured vehicles can pose a significant risk to other road users, with data suggesting that they are more frequently involved in collisions.
This can leave those affected out of pocket for medical care, vehicle repairs, and other support.
Surrey Police use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras built into police cars to detect vehicles that do not have insurance.
They also have access to a database which can help to predict where uninsured vehicles may be within a short timescale, enabling them to proactively target repeat offenders.
These measures saw an increase 14% of uninsured vehicles found and removed from Surrey’s roads in 2023, compared to 2022.
Surrey Roads Policing Unit Inspector John Lakeman said, “These numbers clearly demonstrate the size of the issue, but also the work our officers are undertaking every day to keep our roads safe for everyone”.
Simon French, Law Enforcement Liaison Officer at the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, said: “We work closely with the police throughout the year, including our colleagues across Surrey, to get dangerous uninsured vehicles off the road.
“Data shows us that those who deliberately drive uninsured cause more frequent and, often, more catastrophic collisions. So, tackling uninsured driving isn’t just about getting people to pay premiums, it is about making roads safer and fairer for everyone.
“Our message is simple: drive with adequate insurance, or you will be caught.”
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