On Monday Police Scotland announced the launch of “Operation Drive Insured”. The operation, which plans to tackle the problem posed by an estimated 40,000 uninsured drivers in Scotland, is being run in partnership with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (“MIB”).
The MIB is the mechanism in the UK through which compensation is provided for victims of accidents caused by uninsured and untraced drivers, which is funded by an estimated £30 a year from every insured driver’s premiums.
Although as personal injury lawyers, we deal with the MIB on a daily basis, I find clients are often surprised to discover that such a body exists, and that it is possible to successfully claim for compensation where the party responsible for the accident has no insurance, or has fled the scene without a trace.
It is clear that this is an issue Police Scotland are taking seriously, which is hardly surprising in light of reported statistics. MIB’s own estimates are that:
- uninsured and untraced hit and run drivers cost law-abiding motorists £400 million a year in insurance premiums; and
- across the UK around 130 people are killed and more than 26,000 left injured by uninsured or untraced drivers.
Operation Drive Insured runs from January 22 to January 28, and will operate through a combination of mobile and static road checks. Police Scotland have issued stark warnings that any driver caught driving without insurance during the operation is likely to have their vehicle seized, receive six points on their licence, a £300 fine, and possible prosecution. If you do not have a note of the expiry date of your insurance, a free check can be carried out quickly with the DVLA
Richard Poole is a Legal Director in our specialist personal injury team and recognised by the Law Society of Scotland as an accredited Personal Injury specialist. If you, or a member of your family has been involved in an accident and you would like to discuss a no win no fee personal injury claim please contact Richard or a member of the Personal injury team on 0800 731 8434.
