Four Shires

Uninsured - You must declare it!

New laws to tackle uninsured driving will be enforced this summer.

Under the new Continuous Insurance Enforcement law it is an offence to be the keeper of an uninsured vehicle, rather than just to drive when uninsured.

This summer registered keepers identified as having an uninsured vehicle will be sent a letter telling them that their vehicle appears to be uninsured, and warning them of the consequences if they fail to take action. Those who do not act on this warning - either by taking out insurance or declaring their vehicle off the road - will receive a £100 fine and could have their vehicle clamped, seized and destroyed. They may also face a court prosecution.

 The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), which last month launched a national advertising campaign to raise awareness of the new law, has seen a 20 per cent rise in the number of successful searches by motorists who have checked their insurance details are recorded on the Motor Insurance Database (MID).

 All drivers can check their vehicle is recorded correctly for free at www.askMID.com.

 Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said:

 “Anyone who receives a warning letter should take action immediately by getting insurance or contacting the DVLA to declare their vehicle off the road.”

  "Failure to act will result in a fine, court action or seeing your car seized and destroyed.”

 Ashton West, Chief Executive at the MIB, said:

 “We know who the registered keepers are with vehicles that have no insurance and letters will be dropping onto their doormats from this week. It’s no longer a case of if you will get caught, but when you will get caught.”

 “An estimated 1.4 million drivers are flouting the law by driving without insurance. This is a serious offence and results in accidents that cause about 160 deaths each year and more than 23,000 people are injured by uninsured drivers. It also adds around £30 per year to honest drivers’ motor insurance policies.”

Under the new system:

• The DVLA will work in partnership with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau to identify uninsured vehicles.
• Motorists will receive a letter telling them that their vehicle appears to be uninsured and warning them that they will be fined unless they take action.
• If the keeper fails to insure the vehicle they will be given a £100 fine.
• If the vehicle remains uninsured - regardless of whether the fine is paid – further action will be taken. If the vehicle is on public land it could then be clamped, seized and destroyed. Alternatively court action could be taken, with the offender facing a fine of up to £1,000.
• Seized vehicles would only be released when the keeper provided evidence that the registered keeper is no longer committing the offence of having no insurance and the person proposing to drive the vehicle away is insured to do so. 

4. Measures already introduced in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 gave police improved access to the MID and powers to seize vehicles driven without insurance. In 2009 around 180,000 uninsured vehicles were seized.

Motorcycle Eggstravaganza to support Midlands Air Ambulance

This Spring, thousands of bikers from across the country are expected to join together for a massive ride out when they take part in the ‘Bike 4 Life
Easter Run’.  The motorcycle run will take place on Sunday 1st April 2012 in aid of two local charities, the Midlands Air Ambulance and Royal Air Force
Museum.

In the first of two Bike 4 Life events taking place in 2012, bikers will start at Meole Brace Park & Ride in Shrewsbury and will travel en masse to the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford in Shropshire. The ride starts at 11.30am, but participants can arrive any time from 10am.  Once completing the run there will be a rock band, food stalls and entertainment including afun fair at the Museum.  In addition, participants will have the opportunity to sit inside a replica Air Ambulance cockpit and speak with Air Ambulance crew members about how the helicopter they use saves lives.

Registration costs just £5 per person with all proceeds being shared equally between the two charities.

Organisers are expecting in excess of 2,000 Bikers to attend the event and show their support.  The event is sure to be an incredible visual spectacle
as the bikers make their way to the Museum along the M54 motorway.  Plus, with all the activities taking place at the Museum, it is sure to be a fun
day out for everyone.

For more information or to register for the ‘Bike 4 Life Easter Run’ please call the Museum on 01902 376200 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. stating
your name and contact details and the number of people you are registering for.  One of the registration team will call you to confirm your booking and
take payment.

Once registered a welcome pack will be posted to you including instructions on times and a registration tag for your bike.  Remember, to gain entry to
the event each rider must be registered.

Sunday 1st April 2012
£5.00 per person donation