More than 15,000 automobiles with out insurance have been seized by Essex Police since 2018 for not having insurance, new figures have revealed.
The statistics come as a number one motoring physique warns drivers “don’t take the risk” by dodging automotive insurance earlier than hitting the highway.
Figures obtained by the AA drivers’ affiliation present 17,190 uninsured vehicles have been seized by Essex Police because the begin of 2018 – together with at the least 2,126 to date this yr.
Across the UK, extra than half 1,000,000 motors have been impounded for not having correct insurance over that timeframe.
In 2021, 3,555 automobiles have been seized by police in Essex – equating to 3 seizures for each 1,000 licensed automobiles within the space as of the top of 2021.
Many forces now use automated quantity plate recognition to test whether or not vehicles are road-legal, which might immediately inform officers whether or not vehicles have insurance and an up-to-date MOT.
Gus Park, managing director for AA Insurance Services, stated: “Every driver is frightened about being concerned in a collision, however worse nonetheless is the opposite social gathering being uninsured.
“Sadly, we all know that when instances are arduous some individuals attempt to minimize their prices, and one space individuals are tempted to probability it’s slicing out their motor insurance.
“However, these figures show that forces across the country are on the lookout and will take an uninsured car away.”
Despite successive lockdowns, 2020 noticed essentially the most vehicles seized in Essex and throughout the nation – almost 130,000 have been taken off UK roads, together with 4,135 within the space.
Mr Park stated drivers needs to be cautious of the penalties for not having insurance.
“Not only is there the chance of having your car seized, but the criminal and financial hardship is not worth the gamble,” he added.
Drivers caught with out correct insurance can face a tremendous of £300 and 6 factors on their licence – with the potential for bigger fines or perhaps a driving ban if their case goes to court docket.