Uninsured drivers killing spree can stop with community backing
David Harlow, MD of leading UK motor insurance broker InsureYourMotor.com urges local communities to ‘shame’ uninsured and unlicensed drivers as part of a community led campaign to stop the senseless tragic loss of life. 1 in 20 drivers in the UK hold no current motor insurance. Add to that statistic those motorists without driving licences, MOT certificates for their vehicles or Road Fund Licences and the figures are significantly worse. With more individuals being involved in fatal road traffic accidents as a result of uninsured motorists, insurance companies have no choice but to continually raise premiums. David Harlow, Managing Director of InsureYourMotor.com a leading UK motor insurance broker comments: “I am becoming more and more concerned regarding the rise in reported crimes involving uninsured motorists. Until the Government puts firm controls in place to curb these incidents, I believe the power to reduce these statistics and the resulting traffic accident fatalities may lie with the man in the street. This action will also assist the insurers to reduce premiums, which, incidentally, are set to rise again this year as a result of uninsured drivers ”. David Harlow advocates that Central Government launches a ‘Name & Shame’ campaign to ‘out’ these murdering fraudsters, in much the same way that the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) has done successfully with the National TV campaign to stamp out benefit fraud. Whilst this may be seen as a National problem, the damage is felt locally. Death on the road due to lack of motor insurance impacts on the community, wrecks lives, tears families apart and destroys whole futures. Professor David Greenaway of the University of Nottingham has been asked by the Minister of Transport to look at the UK’s compulsory motor insurance system. He will consider ways of ensuring detection is effective, as well as the impact upon premiums and road safety. Dr Greenaway’s recommendations are not yet clear, however it is muted that the report will contain such guidelines as: - Insurance disks on car windscreens - Continuous Road Fund License registration - Countrywide photo recognition systems - Insuring the driver as opposed to insuring the vehicle. David Harlow continues: “I welcome and support all the recommendations and rumoured Government proposals to curb this crime, however this will take time. As a motor insurance broker I want to see death on the roads reduced and insurance premiums lowered. We all have the power to make these changes by contacting your local Police and anonymously passing on details of anyone you suspect of: driving without insurance, driving without a license, or being the driver of a vehicle without a current MOT certificate or Road Fund Licence”. David Harlow concludes: “Let me make it absolutely clear that this should not be seen as ‘snitching’ but caring for your community as the next fatality could be in your neighbourhood. More significantly, it could be someone you know”. We are currently conducting a consumer poll on our website and already the statistics are in favour of this type of community action”.Date - 06/02/2004
