Police have seized multiple uninsured vehicles in just two days during a major operation across Luton and Peterborough, issuing substantial penalties to drivers breaking the law.
The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) confirmed that 60 vehicles were affected, warning that driving without insurance is illegal and carries serious consequences.
The operation, led by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Roads Policing Unit in partnership with the MIB, is the second crackdown this year. In March, police removed 43 uninsured vehicles from Luton's streets during an eight-hour operation.
Officers targeted areas known for uninsured driving, using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology and the MIB’s “Navigate” insurance database. Over 20 roads policing officers participated, supported by local community teams and MIB analysts providing real-time intelligence.
Sergeant Ian Leeson said uninsured drivers pose a serious risk to the public and increase costs for law-abiding motorists.
“Uninsured drivers create misery for victims and their families,” he said. “They also drive up insurance premiums for everyone else. Many uninsured vehicles are also linked to wider criminal activity, so tackling this helps make our roads safer.”
The MIB estimates that someone in the UK is hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver every 20 minutes, with at least one person a day suffering life-changing injuries. The economic cost is around £1 billion annually, covering compensation, medical treatment, emergency response, and lost productivity.
Uninsured driving often overlaps with other offences, including drug offences, drink-driving, speeding, and money laundering. Under UK law, drivers caught without insurance can face a £300 fixed penalty and six penalty points. Court cases can result in unlimited fines or driving bans.
Martin Saunders, Head of Uninsured Driving Prevention at MIB, noted that some drivers intentionally flout the law, while others make mistakes such as failed payments, expired policies, or incorrect details. “We urge all drivers to check their insurance is valid and up to date,” he said.
The crackdown also uncovered a range of other offences: 10 vehicles were unlicensed, 10 had no valid MOT, several drivers used only provisional licences without supervision, and one motorist was caught driving while disqualified for eight years. Falsified insurance documents were also discovered.
Campaigners have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement, highlighting that uninsured drivers are more likely to cause accidents and cannot cover the resulting damage. Compensation for victims is provided by the MIB, funded through a levy on all motorists’ insurance premiums.
The BCH Roads Policing Unit and MIB confirmed that further joint operations are planned. Mr Saunders added: “Focusing on uninsured driving benefits the entire county. Our goal is to prevent any driver from being uninsured in the first place.”
