Police crackdown on Scotland’s rogue drivers

• Police are increasing checks on licences and insurance, along with speeding, failing to wear seat belts and using phones whilst driving

• Estimated to be around 1.2 million uninsured drivers on Britain’s roads

• Penalties for offenders include penalty points and fines

From 7am police forces across the country will increase checks on motorists’ licences and insurance documents, while also targeting other road safety offences such as speeding, failing to wear a seat belt and using a mobile phone while driving.

A police survey estimates that there are around 1.2 million uninsured drivers in the UK and insurance premiums on registered drivers are increased every year as a result.

Penalties for offenders caught in the crackdown include having their vehicle seized and being hit with between three and eight penalty points as well as a maximum fine of £5,000 for driving without insurance and £1,000 for not holding an eligible licence.

Courts can order the disqualification of the offender in the most serious cases.

Chief Inspector Sandy Bowman, Head of Road Policing at Tayside Police, said: “These campaigns are essentially about providing education and enforcement in respect of road safety. They provide an opportunity to remind drivers that they are risking having their vehicle seized and subsequently crushed if they are caught driving any type of vehicle without a licence or insurance.

“Tayside Police have been using these powers for six years now, and in that time they have proved to be an invaluable tool in removing vehicles from our communities which are a potential danger to us all.

“Without these powers, I have no doubt that some of these vehicles would still be on our roads today. Generally, if vehicles are being used without a driving licence, insurance or an MOT, they are more than likely not maintained in a fully roadworthy condition. Vehicles in a poor state of repair present a significant risk to other road users and seizing them removes that immediate risk.”

Since June 2006, Tayside Police have had the power to seize vehicles being driven without a licence or insurance under the Road Traffic Act and the force has seized over 4,000 vehicles (of which 1,480 have been crushed) in that time.

Vehicles seized under the powers are only released if the owner presents valid insurance and licensing documentation. They also have to pay a £150 recovery fee plus £20 for each day the vehicle was stored.