CV10 postal region leads the pack as problem areas are named

New hotspots data has uncovered the worst offending areas for uninsured driving across the UK, with 3 postal regions of Nuneaton and Bedworth now leading the pack within the Warwickshire Police region.

The data has been released today by MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau), the UK entity that exists to protect people from the devastation of uninsured and hit-and-run drivers, to coincide with their annual ‘Operation Drive Insured’ campaign. This week-long vital road safety initiative, running 11-17 November, sees MIB collaborating with all UK police forces to get uninsured drivers off the road.

TOP 3 REGIONAL POSTAL HOTSPOTS FOR UNINSURED DRIVING

Based on 2 years of MIB claim data

Whilst CV10 tops the list of hotspots within the Warwickshire area, all areas featured within MIB’s data for the region fall into Nuneaton and Bedworth. These three postal regions account for 16 claims against uninsured drivers submitted to MIB across the 2-year period.

Warwickshire Police will be carrying out additional checks on motorists in problem areas throughout Operation Drive Insured, in a bid to tackle the plague of uninsured drivers. Officers will utilise data provided by MIB and partners to focus their efforts. This will include:

• Navigate, the central record of all active motor insurance policies which is managed by MIB.
• Operation Tutelage markers, where cars passing ANPR cameras on previous occasions have been compared to data held on Navigate. Uninsured vehicles with an Operation Tutelage marker are then flagged to police and dealt with roadside. 
• Using police intelligence and analysis to predict the movements of known uninsured vehicles.  

MIB is committed to reducing uninsured driving, working closely with all police forces to target these dangerous vehicles before they harm another road user. So far this year, almost 115,000 uninsured drivers have had their vehicle seized through the work of MIB in conjunction with police. However, current estimates from MIB indicate that there are an average of 300,000 uninsured vehicles on UK roads every single day. 

Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver and, tragically, each day at least one person suffers injuries so severe they need life-long care.

Uninsured driving is, sadly, not a standalone issue, so stopping an uninsured vehicle can help identify individuals of interest, drink and drug driving, stolen vehicles or property, and organised crime networks.

It equally has a hugely significant economic impact. MIB estimates all injuries caused by uninsured and hit-and-run drivers potentially cost the economy nearly £2.4 billion a year in emergency services, medical care, loss of productivity and human costs.

Don’t risk the serious consequences of driving uninsured

Uninsured drivers receive a £300 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence. If stopped by police, your vehicle may be seized, with a third of these going on to be crushed. If you end up in court, you could also receive an unlimited fine and even a driving ban.

The consequences of being caught driving uninsured can affect every part of your life – from loss of your independence, an inability to care for dependents (such as the need to take your children to school), to a driving conviction showing up on searches thereby hindering your ability to get a new job. 

In Warwickshire, in 2023, officers issued 746 Traffic Offence Reports for the use of a motor vehicle on a road/public place without third party insurance. 81% of the drivers were male with the highest number of offences being between the ages of 27-36 years old.

In 2023, Warwickshire Police removed 1,445 uninsured vehicles from the roads under S165 of which 668 were disposed of via scrapping or auctioning.

Whilst many of those who have their vehicles seized and crushed are purposely flouting the law, MIB want to support drivers who aim to be law-abiding by highlighting the most common insurance pitfalls. 

Top tips to ensure your insurance remains valid: 

• Don’t assume your motor insurance policy is set to auto-renew   
• Check your payment method is still valid when your renewal is due
• Don’t assume that fully-comprehensive cover allows you to drive someone else’s vehicle  
• Remember to SORN a vehicle if it is being taken off the road and not used   
• Check your insurance allows for the class-of-use required, such as commuting or making food or parcel deliveries 

If you’re not sure about your insurance status, check today for free: mib.org.uk/driveinsured 

Chief Superintendent Marc Clothier, Head of National Roads Policing Operations Intelligence and Investigations (NRPOII) said: “As the Head of NRPOII, I am really pleased that Police forces across the UK will be working in partnership with MIB and other key stakeholders as part of Operation Drive Insured to take risk off our roads.

“We know uninsured drivers are more likely to be involved in fatal and fail to stop collisions, and there is also a strong link between uninsured driving and other criminal offences. Working together ensures we have the right information and capability to target those who are not insured and take appropriate action which can include seizure of the vehicle and prosecution.”

Martin Saunders, Head of Enforcement at MIB said: “Whilst we focus on uninsured driving every day of the year, Operation Drive Insured is key in ensuring this societal issue remains on the agenda. We’re working closely with the police the length and breadth of the UK to ensure that these dangerous vehicles are identified and removed from our roads.

“With such a clear link to secondary offences and fatal collisions, we know that the benefits of Operation Drive Insured will be widely felt across the UK, making roads and communities safer. This operation is just one more way, alongside a wider range of initiatives, in which we’re making sure that those flouting the law have nowhere to hide.”

Media enquiries
Please contact pressoffice@mib.org.uk 

MIB has spokespeople availability for media interviews and can also arrange on-location filming at a range of roads policing operations across the UK.