Uninsured Drivers Targeted During Devon and Cornwall Holiday Traffic Operation

Crackdown coincides with school holiday getaway across Devon and Cornwall

Uninsured drivers found themselves in hot water on one of the busiest travel days of the year, as Devon & Cornwall Police joined forces with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) for a one-day operation designed to catch those driving without valid cover.

The operation took place as families from across the UK descended on the region following the start of the school summer holidays, with officers strategically timing the effort to match the travel surge into the South West.

Cars Seized, Drivers Fined

During the single-day crackdown, four vehicles were seized for having no insurance or inadequate cover, while seven others received fixed penalty notices for the same offence.

Officers also uncovered a range of other illegal activity during the day, issuing tickets and giving advice for matters including no MOT, driving while disqualified, drug driving, defective tyres, recall to prison, an unrestrained child, and an insecure load.

“At Least One Person a Day Seriously Injured”

Sgt James Gallienne of Devon and Cornwall Police said:

“At least one person, every day is so seriously injured by an uninsured or hit and run driver they require lifelong care.

“Operations like this aim to educate about and enforce the law in order to reduce the number of uninsured drivers on the road and reduce collisions. Devon and Cornwall remain safe places to live and visit and we will continue to be proactive in keeping our road network safe.”

Uninsured Driving: More Than Just a Fine

Driving without insurance has long-term consequences that many people may not be aware of. These can include:

• A £300 fixed penalty notice

• Six points on your licence — which could mean disqualification

• Your vehicle seized and possibly crushed

• A court referral with an unlimited fine and driving ban

• A criminal conviction that shows up in background checks

• A potential £1,000 increase in your future insurance premium

In 2024 alone, 138,000 uninsured drivers had their vehicles seized — that’s one every four minutes. Around one in every three of those cars is crushed and recycled.

Martin Saunders, Head of Uninsured Driving Prevention at MIB, said:

“Uninsured driving is a problem every day of the year. However, during this busy period of holidaying within the UK, we recommend that all motorists check they have adequate cover in place and that all details on their policy are as expected.

“Utilising key moments where there is a large influx of vehicles, such as these holiday traffic ‘pinch points’, allows us to not only target those who choose to drive uninsured, but provides us with an opportunity to educate those who are unaware.

“We urge all motorists to check their insurance policy is in place, is appropriate for their needs and to reach out to their insurer if they are unsure on any part of their policy — we don’t want any driver to become uninsured in the first place.

“We will continue to work with police across the UK year-round to make sure that those choosing to drive uninsured have nowhere to hide.”

Common Mistakes That Could Leave You Uninsured

Authorities have also warned that not all uninsured driving is intentional. Many drivers might unknowingly find themselves without valid cover. The most common errors include:

• Assuming your policy will auto-renew

• Not checking whether your payment method is still valid

• Thinking fully comprehensive cover lets you drive someone else’s car

• Failing to SORN a vehicle that’s off the road

• Not checking if your insurance includes commuting or delivery work

For more advice on staying safe on the roads and understanding the risks, visit: www.dc.police.uk/fatalfive