Net tightens on uninsured drivers

Uncollected cars which have been seized are sent to the crusher

More than 10,000 Hampshire drivers without a valid driving licence or insurance have had their vehicles seized since July 2005.

They were caught using powers under section 165 of the Road Traffic Act.

Once a vehicle has been seized the owner or driver has 14 days to produce the correct documents at a police station or it will be sold or crushed.

A charge of �105 is made for the cars to be returned. Fixed penalty tickets issued can result in a �200 fine.

The driver may also receive six penalty points on a driving licence.

Many of those who choose to drive without a licence or insurance are often found to be involved in other criminal activity Hampshire police

"Unlicensed and uninsured drivers frequently cause distress and misery to others," said John Martin, head of the Hampshire police's contract vehicle recovery scheme.

"Many of those who choose to drive without a licence or insurance are often found to be involved in other criminal activity."

When the legislation was first used in 2005 about 43% of vehicles were reclaimed after being seized, a force spokesman said.

That figure has risen to about 57%.

Neil Drane, of the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), the organisation responsible for the Motor Insurance Database, said: "A key factor in removing uninsured drivers from our roads is the Motor Insurance Database, which contains details of 35 million insured vehicles in the UK."

According to statistics from the MIB, uninsured driving costs law-abiding motorists more than �500m annually or about �30 on their insurance premium.

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