The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has issued a direct message to uninsured drivers who continue to deliberately flout the law and put innocent lives at risk: West Midlands Police are coming for you.
This week marks ‘Op Drive Insured’ – a national campaign targeting uninsured drivers – as officers in the West Midlands step up action to stop those driving without insurance.
UK data published by Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) show eight of the top 15 postcodes for uninsured drivers are right here in the West Midlands.
PCC Simon Foster, meanwhile, continues to hold West Midlands Police to account to make sure tough action is being taken to rid communities of dangerous and reckless uninsured drivers.
He said: “It’s a matter of serious public concern and a real issue for West Midlands Police and myself as Police and Crime Commissioner, particularly when you factor in that every 20 minutes across the UK someone is hit by an uninsured or hit and run driver, leaving victims with injuries and resulting in fatalities as a consequence.
“Uninsured vehicles are linked to other crimes, for example vehicle theft and serious organised crime and drink and drug driving.
“In addition to that, uninsured drivers are estimated to cost the UK economy about £2.4 billion – so it’s plainly a serious matter that we are taking action to address in the West Midlands.”
The PCC, who has road safety at the top of his agenda in the West Midlands, is continuing to lobby government to retain fixed penalty driving fine revenue in the region – a pledge worth more than £2 million each year that would help West Midlands Police tackle uninsured drivers, amongst other criminal activity.
On action that’s being undertaken to crack down on uninsured drivers, the PCC commented: “We’ve seen around 115,000 uninsured drivers sent warning letters, with 80 per cent then immediately taking out insurance. The remainder are then marked for police interception.
“West Midlands Police are also continuing to work with MIB thanks to a £100,000 investment to provide additional and intensified targeted enforcement activity and stop sites. That is focused on those hotspot areas that have been identified.
“West Midlands Police seize around 10,000 vehicles from the roads and around 8,000 of those are a consequence of drivers being uninsured.
“The message is clear: if you don’t have insurance, you cannot drive and if you continue to deliberately flout the law, you will face robust action. It’s as simple as that.”
If motorists are caught driving uninsured, they could face a £300 fine, six points on their licence, and their car could be seized and crushed. In serious cases, drivers might end up in court facing unlimited fines and a driving ban.
Gareth Mason, head of West Midlands Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “Uninsured driving is a serious crime. It’s selfish and dangerous, and we won’t tolerate it. We’re using every tool at our disposal to catch these reckless drivers.
“We have recently made a significant investment in our Roads Policing Unit, equipping our officers with advanced technology and resources to target criminals who use the road network. This includes the deployment of unmarked vehicles and the use of live-streaming cameras to monitor and intercept dangerous drivers.
“This investment will allow us to increase our visibility, respond more effectively to incidents, and proactively target those who pose a danger to others.
“If you are caught driving without insurance, you face severe penalties, including fines, points on your licence, and the potential seizure of your vehicle. Don’t risk your freedom and your future. Ensure you are properly insured at all times.”
Find out more about how West Midlands Police are keeping the roads safe 👉 Operation Triton | West Midlands Police
How to stay insured
• Renew your policy: Don’t let your insurance lapse. Set reminders or use automatic renewal.
• Update your payment details: Keep your payment information up-to-date to avoid any interruptions.
• Understand your coverage: Know what your policy covers, especially if you’re driving someone else’s car or using your car for work.
• SORN your vehicle: If you’re not using your car, declare it off-road to avoid insurance requirements.
If you’re unsure about your insurance status, you can check for free at mib.org.uk/driveinsured
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