IAM backs insurance plans

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is backing the government’s latest proposal to automatically fine motorists who do not renew their insurance cover

The IAM has welcomed the potential crackdown, saying that it will help those who have forgotten to renew their policy, but recognises that those who deliberately flout the law are unlikely to be fazed by the proposals.

Fixed fines for uninsured drivers

The Continuous Insurance Enforcement scheme will provide a new fixed penalty for people who ignore official reminders that their insurance has expired. This will apply to vehicles that aren’t declared as being off the road through a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) and are not insured. Continuing offenders will risk having their vehicle seized and destroyed.

Automatic Number Plate Reading (ANPR) equipment enables the police to check the insurance details of more cars than ever before and as a result they are now seizing around 1500 uninsured vehicles per week.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “Police have the power to seize uninsured vehicles, but many cars are not worth the value of the release fee so end up being crushed. Uninsured drivers pose a serious threat to other road users, but it is unlikely that a fine alone will have the desired effect.”

Green motor insurance

Motor insurance bought through the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) automatically offsets the carbon of a year’s driving. More info

What is the ETA?

The ETA is an organisation providing motorists and cyclists with carbon-neutral breakdown cover and insurance products. As well as encouraging responsible driving to reduce carbon, the ETA campaigns for sustainable transport.