UNINSURED drivers in Herefordshire are being targeted in a week-long police operation.

Operation Drive Insured will see increased roads policing activity to detect and seize uninsured vehicles across the West Mercia force area.

Each year in the UK over 130 people are killed and 26,000 are left injured in collisions caused by uninsured and untraced drivers, linking to nearly one in every five road traffic collisions.

Police said evidence also shows drivers without insurance are more likely to be involved in other crimes, be it using a stolen vehicle, driving while disqualified, or substance abuse.

Related news:

In total, some £322 million was paid in compensation in 2019 to provide support to victims of uninsured and untraced collisions, with figures from the Department for Transport indicating these collisions cost the economy a further £2 billion a year in emergency services, medical care, loss of productivity and property damage.

Superintendent Mel Crowther of West Mercia Police said; “Whilst the majority of road users in West Mercia comply with the legislation around insurance for their vehicle unfortunately there are some using our roads that do not. Driving without valid insurance is not only against the law, it also devastates the lives of many other road users each year.

"Supporting this national campaign with increased education and local enforcement activity is part of our commitment to our overall safer roads priority to help improve road safety for all, reduce the amount of people that are killed or seriously injured on our roads and to deny criminals the use of the roads”.

The consequences of being caught without valid insurance can lead to drivers having their vehicle seized and potentially crushed along with a £300 fixed penalty notice and six licence points. They can also face court and receive a driving ban and an unlimited fine.