MOTORISTS are being warned to ‘insure it or lose it’ as West Midlands Police continue to tackle uninsured vehicles on the roads.
As national restrictions begin to ease the police are anticipating more motors to be travelling across the region in the coming months.
In preparation the force has already launched Operation Tutelage, alongside the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB), to trace those who are breaking the law and order them to get insured.
Officers have been sending out letters to registered keepers of cars, where information the force holds suggests the vehicle has no insurance, advising them to get it insured or risk having it seized.
West Midlands Police say so far the approach has been successfully used in ensuring people insure their vehicles in other police forces areas around the country. Around two-thirds have insured their motors after being notified.
Since launching Operation Tutelage as a four month pilot here in February West Midlands Police has already sent out more than 3,500 notices.
The force has also seized just over 1,900 vehicles in the last six months; while punishments can also include penalty points and fines.
Superintendent Richard Agar, from West Midlands Road Policing, said: “There is not only a legal but moral responsibility to ensure your vehicle is insured.
“We know the last 12 months have been like nothing we’ve experienced before but the pandemic is no excuse for breaking the law.
“We’re following a national approach, in partnership with the MIB, and reminding people of their responsibilities. There could be a genuine discrepancy for a vehicle not showing as insured.
“But we will seize cars and pursue further action against those who deliberately avoid insuring their vehicles and our warning.”
