Uninsured drivers - Time to get tough on offenders

IT seems there are as many as 100,000 uninsured drivers on our roads.

All insured drivers regardless of their claim status — even those with a full “no claim bonus” — are paying 10% extra on top of the regular premium to cover the cost of accidents caused by non-insured drivers.

Various systems tested elsewhere could be implemented here to help tackle the problem, such as the scanners adopted in New Zealand and in New York that can readily identify uninsured drivers. A car being driven by an uninsured driver is impounded immediately, and the owner has a month to reclaim it, or it will be sold.

A black box system that would record driving particulars is being considered for use in this country. Talks are currently being held with an American company about the introduction of the system here.

In Germany the black box is mandatory in all public vehicles. It would certainly be worth considering making it mandatory in all similar vehicles here, especially in view of the number of accidents involving school busses. It would have been possible to determine the causes of those accidents within a matter of minutes.

This should promote more responsible driving.