Daily Express Saturday 16 August 2008
Outrage as
Uninsured
Drivers get
Lighter fines
Uninsured
Drivers get
Lighter fines
By Jo Willey
Uninsured drivers are killing four people a week yet the penalties are getting softer.
Figures have revealed that 208 people died in accidents caused by uninsured drivers in 2006, compared with 160 in 2000 a rise of almost a third.
Yet the average fine for driving without insurance has dropped by 17 per cent from £224 in 1997 to just £185 now.
This is less than the average fine imposed for smoking in a smoke-free place, £200.
And it is a fraction of the £1000 fine for not having a TV licence.
The figures come just weeks after it was revealed that judges have been told in official court guidance to let off killer drivers with no insurance.
The latest figures will anger the Daily Express readers who three years ago won the promise of a Government crackdown on uninsured drivers. Amy Aeron-Thomas, executive director of the road crash victims charity RoadPeace said: “More needs to be done to catch and keep these criminals off the road before they kill or injure innocent people.
“The introduction of ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras and vehicle confiscation were important but, as with speeding , more cameras are required to detect and deter unlawful driving.”
On Monday, laws will come into force to curb Britain’s 1.5 million uninsured drivers.
Offenders causing death by driving without a licence, while disqualified or when uninsured could be jailed for two years.
Currently, courts can only fine uninsured drivers up to £5,000 but not send them to prison.
When uninsured drivers kill but
Uninsured drivers are killing four people a week yet the penalties are getting softer.
Figures have revealed that 208 people died in accidents caused by uninsured drivers in 2006, compared with 160 in 2000 a rise of almost a third.
Yet the average fine for driving without insurance has dropped by 17 per cent from £224 in 1997 to just £185 now.
This is less than the average fine imposed for smoking in a smoke-
The figures come just weeks after it was revealed that judges have been told in official court guidance to let off killer drivers with no insurance.
The latest figures will anger the Daily Express readers who three years ago won the promise of a Government crackdown on uninsured drivers. Amy Aeron-
On Monday, laws will come into force to curb Britain’s 1.5 million uninsured drivers.
Offenders causing death by driving without a licence, while disqualified or when uninsured could be jailed for two years.
Currently, courts can only fine uninsured drivers up to £5,000 but not send them to prison.
When uninsured drivers kill but
there are no aggravating factors, the advice is to award a community service sentence.
The new guidelines have been strongly criticised for not going far enough.
Someone who causes death by dangerous driving could be given only a community sentence if the offence involves “momentary inattention” like turning on a radio.
Those who cause death by being avoidably distracted, such as answering a mobile phone call or looking at a text message, could be given anything from a community
order to two years Inside.
The new guidelines have been strongly criticised for not going far enough.
Someone who causes death by dangerous driving could be given only a community sentence if the offence involves “momentary inattention” like turning on a radio.
Those who cause death by being avoidably distracted, such as answering a mobile phone call or looking at a text message, could be given anything from a community
order to two years Inside.
Even the worst cases of “death by careless driving” will only see drivers face up to three years jail.
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Mark Hunter said “uninsured drivers are a dangerous and often fatal blight on Britain’s roads and responsible motorists are forking out ever higher premiums to pay for their misadventures.”
Accidents caused by uninsured drivers cost £500 million a year in insurance claims and add about £30 each to the policies of law abiding motorists.
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Mark Hunter said “uninsured drivers are a dangerous and often fatal blight on Britain’s roads and responsible motorists are forking out ever higher premiums to pay for their misadventures.”
Accidents caused by uninsured drivers cost £500 million a year in insurance claims and add about £30 each to the policies of law abiding motorists.
The mother of a man killed by an uninsured driver yesterday slammed the lower fine figures. Carol Living, 52 said: “These drivers have got a free ticket to murder.” Carol, of Woolwich, South-east London, and her husband Peter, 57, lost their son John just weeks after his 30th birthday in 2005. He was riding his motorbike when uninsured Czech Marek Tomi, then 23, pulled across in front of him, killing him instantly.
Tomi was given community service And fined £100, which was reduced by £20 to reflect his guilty plea. Carol described the sentence as “an insult”.
VICTIM: John Living
