Drivers urge action on uninsured motorists, says R&SA survey

The majority of drivers in the UK are concerned about the number of uninsured motorists on the road, according to research from Royal & SunAlliance (R&SA).

It said its survey revealed that 97% of respondents urged the government to tackle the problem of the 1 million uninsured drivers in the UK.

R&SA said its research also revealed that motorists would like to see stricter punishments for uninsured drives to act as a stronger deterrent.

A third (30%) would like to see offenders taken off the road for good by backing a total driving ban for culprits, with the same number favouring confiscation of the vehicle. A further fifth would welcome larger fines and 16% even favour imprisonment, it said.

Other findings include:

· Nearly a quarter (23%) are in favour of a scheme to link the DVLA, motor insurers and police databases to identify and prosecute drivers without insurance,

· The compulsory display of windscreen insurance discs had equal support,

· And a fifth (19%) were eager to see the introduction of an automatic numberplate recognition scheme to allow the police to spot untaxed and uninsured drivers.

· In addition, nearly a third (31%) would back all of these proposed initiatives.

R&SA UK underwriting director Ray Cox, said: “It's time the uninsured driving issue was placed firmly at top of the Government's motoring agenda.

“We are pleased that schemes like the Automatic Numberplate Recognition initiative is due to be up and running soon to help cut the number of uninsured drivers, which could also save lives.

“Royal & SunAlliance would heartily back any initiative to curb uninsured driving crimes.

“Some schemes may be more effective than others, but what's important is that more is done now to identify and deal with these criminals.

“Our research shows that this is an issue that worries many motorists and it's about time their minds are put at rest.”