Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, has called on the government to do more to deal with the menace of uninsured drivers. Speaking from Westminster the MP said: “According to the Motor Insurers Bureau the UK continues to have one of the worst records in Western Europe for uninsured driving, with an estimated one in every twenty cars on the road being driven without insurance. These vehicles are up six times more likely to be unsafe and drivers without insurance are up to ten times more likely to have been charged with drink driving.”

“Many uninsured drivers are young and unqualified and are more likely to have accidents. At the same time the financial downturn is likely to make people of all ages risk skimping on their insurance renewal. They should know that they will be caught.

The MP continued: “Jim Fitzpatrick, the Transport Minster has told me that this crime is being taken extremely seriously and that there are now some 300,000 convictions a year for uninsured driving, with fines up to £5,000. The police now have the power to seize and in some cases destroy vehicles that are being driven uninsured and over 3,000 vehicles are being seized every week. I welcome these  developments as well as the new proposals published last month proposing a fixed penalty for people who ignore official reminders that their insurance has expired.”

“But more can be done. I have suggested that insurance policy holders should be furnished with a pin number which they would have to tap in when paying for petrol at a garage forecourt.”