EACH and every day, the Roads Policing Unit officers work hard to keep the roads in Essex safe for everyone and to reduce killed and seriously injured collisions.
As a result of this work, they and their colleagues from teams across the force seized 4,365 uninsured cars, vans and motorcycles throughout 2024, averaging more than 360 vehicles seized each month.
November 2024 saw a peak in seized uninsured vehicles when 463 were seized in an effort to target drivers who were illegally driving their vehicle, putting others at risk.
Superintendent Phil Stinger, Operational Policing Command, said: “4,000 plus is a worrying figure.
“This vital work shows the number of people willing to risk making a journey knowing that they are not properly insured.“Not only is this illegal, but we cannot allow it to happen.“With the help of their colleagues from across the force and the support of the Motor Insurers Bureau, the Roads Policing Unit have taken some of the most dangerous vehicles off the roads, allowing us to protect all our communities.
“So, we’ll continue to carry out enforcement activities through proactive patrols and days of action known as Operation Scalis in which we will conduct a multi-agency response to this issue with those who share our ambition to make roads safe for everyone.”
Intentionally uninsured drivers not only cause law-abiding drivers’ insurance costs to rise but are also linked to other risky behaviour including drink driving and speeding.
Having the correct level of insurance also means anyone affected by a collision, can be supported in getting their car back on the road and receive appropriate medical care.
In addition, unsafe vehicles, those that don’t have insurance, tax or MOT, are some of the most dangerous on our roads because they are unroadworthy.
Make sure your vehicle is insured to keep Essex roads safe.
Visit: www.saferessexroads.org/VisionZero
2024 figures for uninsured vehicle seizures, including Operation ScalisJanuary 330February 331March 316April 375May 380June 315July 334August 302September 406October 391November 463December 422