More than 1,400 uninsured vehicles have been seized to date this year for being driven with no insurance on roads across Northern Ireland, it has emerged.
The preliminary figures indicate that between January 1 and November 15 this year, police have already seized 1,408 uninsured vehicles being driven on NI roads.
It comes as the PSNI this week participates in a UK-wide Op Drive Insured campaign, which is supported by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).
Read more: NI's 'broken MOT system' needs substantial change and investment
Of the vehicles seized, 1,063 were subsequently insured, with recovery and any storage fees paid for before being returned to their owners.
The driver detected will have received both a £200 on the spot fine and six penalty points on their driving licence.
The remaining 345 vehicles were surrendered and have either been disposed of by crushing and scrapped, or sold at auction dependant on their market value.
PSNI Superintendent Gary Busch said: “At one end of the spectrum, we have detected drivers who have assumed their insurance will auto renew, or that their comprehensive insurance policy covers driving other vehicles.
“Other drivers have been detected using their vehicle for for business or reward purposes, some have ‘simply forgotten’ to renew policies, so it is critically important that all drivers check they have the appropriate insurance cover in place before they take to the road.
“At the other end of the spectrum, some uninsured drivers we have detected are those who have carried out other motoring offences, or have been criminals engaged in illegal activity.”
Superintendent Busch has urged all drivers to ensure they are appropriately insured before taking to the roads.
“Any police officer can stop a vehicle, and perform a series of checks at the roadside to see if it is insured. Where they reasonably suspect there is no insurance cover in place, they can seize the vehicle.
“That vehicle will be taken to a pound and will not be released until the owner produces proof of valid insurance. At that stage, the owner will have to pay a release fee of £150 for a car – more for larger vehicles - and a fee of up to £20 for each day that it has been impounded.
“Of course the owner still faces the automatic £200 fine and six penalty points on their licence, or indeed whatever penalty a court can impose for any other criminal offences.”
Superintendent Busch added: “We do not even need to stop a vehicle for the process to be used. If we see a car being driven and suspect insurance is not in place, we can track it down and seize it wherever we find it.
“If the vehicle is not claimed and the release fees paid within a fortnight, we have the power to sell the car. These are significant financial penalties and should bring home to offenders that it is not worth taking a chance.
“Our message is very clear. Check you have the correct insurance in place before you take to the roads. When we detect an uninsured driver, the vehicle will be seized on the spot and they will face the full rigour of the law.”
READ NEXT:
Latest on MOTs in NI amid long waiting times for appointments
Belfast train station refurbishment to begin in the coming weeks
Details of late night bus and rail services for Christmas announced
How Belfast's transport bosses are gearing up for the festive rush
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
