South Yorkshire Police seize average of nine cars a day

In June and July, officers seized just under 600 cars from South Yorkshire’s streets.

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In a recent roads policing survey, in which 2,000 people responded, 22 per cent said that they wanted officers to target drivers without insurance.

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Sergeant Rob Jones, from South Yorkshire Police’s roads policing team, said: “Driving without insurance is illegal and will not be tolerated on our roads.

“Uninsured drivers pose a risk to other roads user for a number of reasons; those who take a risk by not being insured are more likely to take further risks in their driving manner and vehicles use.

“Some drivers are unaware that their insurance is invalid and fail to realise that you need to ensure your policy covers you if you’re using another vehicle, even if that vehicle has insurance.

“Motorists caught driving without insurance will receive a minimum £300 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence. Vehicles will be seized and potentially crushed or sold at auction. Uninsured drivers can also be referred to court where they face an unlimited fine and a driving ban.

“Having valid insurance is more than the law: it is designed to protect victims of road traffic collisions by providing them with financial compensation.

“The consequences of driving without insurance are significant and I want to remind the public that it is a risk that is simply not worth taking.”

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In 2019, 1,703 vehicles were seized for for being uninsured and 1,080 for being stolen.

A further 2,850 vehicles were seized for failure to stop for officers, being involved in road traffic collisions or when they were believed to have been used in a criminal offence.

Sgt Jones added: “Offenders involved in organised crime use vehicles to move around the country, distributing drugs, money as well as other criminality. They will often use stolen vehicles on cloned licence plates to drive across our county and the wider area.

“Seizing stolen cars disrupts this type of crime.”

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