Uninsured cars face destruction

The uninsured face having their vehicle seized and destroyed. Photo / Thinkstock

LONDON - A million uninsured drivers on Britain's roads face having their cars impounded under new laws which ministers hope will mean lower premiums for law-abiding motorists.

Every vehicle in the country will be checked on a central database, with uninsured owners facing a fine and ultimately having their car seized and crushed.

The UK has the highest levels of uninsured driving in western Europe. The Government believes the clampdown will help to cut the £30 ($61) a year added to premiums to cover the £500 million-a-year costs of accidents involving uninsured drivers.

Mike Penning, the Road Safety Minister, is expected to approve new regulations in the next few weeks.

Under the new system the DVLA and the insurance industry will compare databases to identify the owners of cars without insurance. They will be sent a letter warning them they could face a fine. If they fail to obtain insurance, they will be fined £100, and repeat offenders face having their vehicle seized and destroyed.

At present uninsured drivers can only be prosecuted if caught behind the wheel. However, under the change, permitted by Labour's 2006 Road Safety Act but never enacted, there will be a new offence of keeping an uninsured vehicle.

- INDEPENDENT