Greater Manchester Police send warning to uninsured van drivers
Thursday 18 February 2010 Back to Blog
Those with van leasing contracts have been warned about the powers afforded to police to seize vehicles under recently introduced legislation.
Since November 2005, police have been able to take vehicles off the road if their drivers have not got insurance or a valid licence.
It has emerged this week that Greater Manchester Police have used this law to seize 50,000 vehicles since its introduction.
Drivers whose vehicles are confiscated then face hefty fines to get it back with the possibility of it being crushed if not claimed within seven days.
Chief Superintendent Dave Anthony, said: "Uninsured drivers are likely to be involved in other types of crime and activities, such as drink driving, and unlicensed drivers are much more likely to be involved in a collision.
"Since the introduction of this legislation in 2005 we have seen a reduction in the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads."
A recent study by Moneysupermarket.com found there are now a third more uninsured drivers than there was in 2008.