Dramatic rise in people driving without insurance sparks warning

Saturday 19 October 2024

A sharp increase in the number of people being prosecuted for driving without third party insurance has prompted a warning from police.

A driver found to be using a car without valid car insurance faces a year off the roads and at least a £600 fine.

Officers are advising people to check their insurance has not expired, and to renew it before it does.

Roads Policing Inspector Thomas Marshall said: "Driving without third party insurance is not an offence we want to be prosecuting islanders for, as we know it is often a personal admin failure rather than an offence with malicious intent, however it is still serious and it takes away the protection other road users have.

"I'd strongly encourage every driver in the Bailiwick to check their insurance is valid and up to date, and to ensure it correctly covers them. Not paying isn't an easy way to save money; our traffic wardens and officers regularly check cars have insurance and if they do not, it will be noted and you will be prosecuted for it if it is on the public highway.

"Please check it's all in order, and if it's not or you're not sure, call your insurance company and find out."

Court Inspector Russell Johnson said: "In recent months the number of people being referred to traffic court for third party insurance offences has risen dramatically.
Next week there will be another eight people in court for insurance related offences."

In all there will be a 330% increase in the number of third party insurance offences in traffic court when comparing October 2023 and October 2024.

"Traffic Court is there to ensure people driving at dangerous speeds and committing other endangering offences are brought to justice, and while driving without insurance is undoubtedly very serious, we'd much rather islanders ensured they had valid insurance to drive their vehicles and didn't have to be brought before the courts."