Uninsured and unlicensed drivers targeted

Police forces across Scotland have taken part in a three day campaign, coordinated by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, to target unlicensed and uninsured drivers.

The campaign, which ran from 14th to 16th August, is the second such campaign in the ACPOS Road Policing National Campaign Strategy for 2012/13 designed to remove irresponsible and potentially dangerous drivers and vehicles from Scotland’s roads.

During the first campaign in April this year police detected a total of 207 driving offences, 146 in relation to uninsured drivers and 61 in relation to driving licence offences, as well as seizing 84 vehicles for consideration of forfeiture by the courts.

Uninsured driving is a serious offence punishable with a maximum fine of £5,000, and the automatic endorsement of an offender’s licence with six to eight penalty points. The courts can also order the immediate disqualification of the offender.

Driving without insurance will result in the driver being issued with a £200 endorsable conditional offer of fixed penalty and six penalty points on their licence. The police also have the power to seize, and in some cases, destroy the vehicle that is being driven uninsured. Any vehicle seized under these powers will only be released on payment of the fixed penalty and presentation of a valid insurance certificate.