New hotspots data has uncovered the worst offending areas for uninsured driving across the UK, with Birmingham leading the pack.

The data has been released today by MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau), the UK entity that exists to protect people from the devastation of uninsured and hit-and-run drivers, to coincide with their annual ‘Operation Drive Insured’ campaign. This week-long vital road safety initiative, running 11-17 November, sees MIB collaborating with all UK police forces to get uninsured drivers off the road.

Whilst West Midlands postal areas account for eight of the top 15 hotspots, postcodes within Northumbria, London, Thames Valley, South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester also feature.

Top 15 hotspots for uninsured driving

Based on 2 years of MIB claim data 

Interestingly, 30 claims against uninsured drivers from Croydon were submitted to MIB - the highest number in one postal district in the UK. However, due to the dense population of the area, it only ranked 176th on the hotspot list.

Road policing units across the UK will be carrying out additional checks on motorists in problem areas throughout Operation Drive Insured, in a bid to tackle the plague of uninsured drivers. Forces will utilise data provided by MIB and partners to focus their efforts. This will include:

• Navigate, the central record of all active motor insurance policies which is managed by MIB.
• Operation Tutelage markers, where cars passing ANPR cameras on previous occasions have been compared to data held on Navigate. Uninsured vehicles with an Operation Tutelage marker are then flagged to police and dealt with roadside.
• Predictive Movements, to narrow down the expected movements of known uninsured vehicles.

MIB is committed to reducing uninsured driving, working closely with all police forces to target these dangerous vehicles before they harm another road user. So far this year, almost 115,000 uninsured drivers have had their vehicle seized through the work of MIB in conjunction with police. However, current estimates from MIB indicate that there are an average of 300,000 uninsured vehicles on UK roads every single day.

Protecting the victims of uninsured driving: Ian’s story

Ian was on the way home from the office when he was hit by a stolen lorry. The drivers of the truck made off on foot, but Ian was left with a badly damaged car and little hope of help. That is, until MIB got involved.

“I’d just set off from the traffic lights and, all of a sudden, there was an almighty crash. There were shards of glass all over the passenger seat and dashboard. I was shunted over to the other side of the road and it was all bit of a blur. I got out to have a look and saw this lorry on my car.”

Ian didn’t initially notice any injuries – he was just grateful to be able to walk away. However, the next morning, he realised something wasn’t right. His shoulder hurt and he was only able to lift his arm part of the way into the air. Ian needed injections into his shoulder over the coming months, and he can still feel the injury to this day.

Ian called his insurance company from the roadside. As the lorry was stolen, with cloned plates and the drivers nowhere to be seen, his insurers provided initial support before advising him to contact MIB, who then started the process to get Ian compensation for the injuries he received.

For Ian, MIB’s involvement and subsequent award of compensation meant he could move on: “It allowed me to think about getting on with life. You've got bills to pay and you don't really want to get into debt through something that's not your own fault. Getting a claim from MIB definitely helped to alleviate some of the stress that was involved.

“When I look back, actually I was really, really lucky to get out of that one. I’d be much happier if there were no uninsured drivers on the road.”

Whilst Ian was able to walk away from his collision with an uninsured driver, many are not so lucky. Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver and, tragically, each day at least one person suffers injuries so severe they need life-long care.

Uninsured driving is, sadly, not a standalone issue, with over 60% of uninsured vehicles seized by the police as part of Operation Tutelage being linked to secondary offences including drink and drug driving, stolen vehicles or property, and serious organised crime networks.

Uninsured driving also has a hugely significant economic impact. MIB estimates all injuries caused by uninsured and hit-and-run drivers potentially cost the economy nearly £2.4 billion a year in emergency services, medical care, loss of productivity and human costs.

Don't risk the serious consequences of driving uninsured

Uninsured drivers receive a £300 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence. If stopped by police, your vehicle may be seized, with a third of these going on to be crushed. If you end up in court, you could also receive an unlimited fine and even a driving ban.

The consequences of being caught driving uninsured can affect every part of your life – from loss of your independence, an inability to care for dependents (such as the need to take your children to school), to a driving conviction showing up on searches thereby hindering your ability to get a new job.

Whilst many of those who have their vehicles seized and crushed are purposely flouting the law, MIB want to support drivers who aim to be law-abiding by highlighting the most common insurance pitfalls.

Top tips to ensure your insurance remains valid: 

• Don’t assume your motor insurance policy is set to auto-renew  
• Check your payment metchod is still valid when your renewal is due
• Don’t assume that fully-comprehensive cover allows you to drive someone else’s vehicle 
• Remember to SORN a vehicle if it is being taken off the road and not used  
• Check your insurance allows for the class-of-use required, such as commuting or making food or parcel deliveries  

If you’re not sure about your insurance status, check today for free: mib.org.uk/driveinsured