This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/8272054.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| 'Close to 2m' uninsured drivers | 'Close to 2m' uninsured drivers |
| (about 22 hours later) | |
| Parts of England with the largest number of uninsured drivers have been revealed in new research. | Parts of England with the largest number of uninsured drivers have been revealed in new research. |
| The worst offenders were in Greater London, Merseyside and Greater Manchester, with 13%, 12% and 10% of vehicles uninsured, the research found. | The worst offenders were in Greater London, Merseyside and Greater Manchester, with 13%, 12% and 10% of vehicles uninsured, the research found. |
| The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), which compensates people in accidents with uninsured drivers, estimates over 1.7m people drove without cover in 2008. | The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), which compensates people in accidents with uninsured drivers, estimates over 1.7m people drove without cover in 2008. |
| The MIB is launching a campaign to warn drivers not to let their cover lapse. | The MIB is launching a campaign to warn drivers not to let their cover lapse. |
| The group warned that people driving without insurance could have their vehicle seized and would be given a minimum of six penalty points on their licence and incur a £200 fine. | The group warned that people driving without insurance could have their vehicle seized and would be given a minimum of six penalty points on their licence and incur a £200 fine. |
| It added that automatic number plate recognition technology, combined with information from the Motor Insurance Database, leads to as many as 500 uninsured vehicles being seized every day. | It added that automatic number plate recognition technology, combined with information from the Motor Insurance Database, leads to as many as 500 uninsured vehicles being seized every day. |
| TOP FIVE UNINSURED HOTSPOTS Greater London - 13%Merseyside - 12%Greater Manchester - 10%West Yorkshire - 7%West Midlands - 7% | TOP FIVE UNINSURED HOTSPOTS Greater London - 13%Merseyside - 12%Greater Manchester - 10%West Yorkshire - 7%West Midlands - 7% |
| The MIB campaign is urging people not to consider avoiding paying for insurance as a means of cutting their motoring costs during the recession. | The MIB campaign is urging people not to consider avoiding paying for insurance as a means of cutting their motoring costs during the recession. |
| Ashton West, chief executive of the MIB, described the figures revealed by the research as "staggering". | Ashton West, chief executive of the MIB, described the figures revealed by the research as "staggering". |
| He added: "But there is no doubt that the number of drivers caught each year is increasing significantly, so drivers simply cannot afford to be complacent. | He added: "But there is no doubt that the number of drivers caught each year is increasing significantly, so drivers simply cannot afford to be complacent. |
| "Indeed, the number of drivers across the UK who were caught without insurance last year would fill Wembley Stadium more than twice. The message to motorists is clear: driving uninsured is simply not worth the risk." | "Indeed, the number of drivers across the UK who were caught without insurance last year would fill Wembley Stadium more than twice. The message to motorists is clear: driving uninsured is simply not worth the risk." |
| Philip Gomm, of the RAC Foundation, said the situation seemed to be out of hand and had been for a long time. | Philip Gomm, of the RAC Foundation, said the situation seemed to be out of hand and had been for a long time. |
| "That might be linked to economic factors. We know that during a downturn a lot of people are finding financial pressure, they are suffering financial hardship and they think that some of their motoring costs are those that they can drive down," he said. | "That might be linked to economic factors. We know that during a downturn a lot of people are finding financial pressure, they are suffering financial hardship and they think that some of their motoring costs are those that they can drive down," he said. |
| "But insurance is not an option. You have to have it if you take a vehicle on to the road." | "But insurance is not an option. You have to have it if you take a vehicle on to the road." |
| Meanwhile, research carried out by moneysupermarket.com found that 62% of the 1,800 people questioned think motorists caught driving without insurance should face heftier penalties. | Meanwhile, research carried out by moneysupermarket.com found that 62% of the 1,800 people questioned think motorists caught driving without insurance should face heftier penalties. |