ABI urges politicians to act now on uninsured drivers

The ABI today urged the three main political parties to see through proposals to clamp down on uninsured drivers.

The body said it was concerned that the decision to call the general election on 5 May could mean that major new enforcement powers are lost in the party political scramble as Parliament is dissolved.

Legislative proposals include:
· Giving the police improved access to the industry's Motor Insurance Database, enabling them to target motorists on the road (Road Safety Bill, clause 40).
· Enabling the police to seize and, in some cases, destroy vehicles being driven uninsured ( Serious Organised Crime Bill, clause 149)
· To bring in a new offence of ‘keeping a vehicle without insurance' early in the new Parliament.

Nick Starling, the ABI's director of general insurance, said: “There must be no let-up in the cross-party effort to crack down on uninsured driving. These proposals must not become the innocent victim of the politics of the general election.”