2,500 uninsured cars seized in Hampshire last year
That's a 19% increase on the year before
Over 2,500 uninsured cars were seized by police across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight last year.
That's nearly 500 more (19%) than the previous year, with the force saying it's part of their commitment to make roads safer.
People are being warned, if caught, they'll also face six points on their licence, a 300 pound fine and potential disqualification from driving.
Vehicles will only be released back to the owner once they have bought valid insurance, which would increase in price due to a record of uninsured driving.
Failure to comply with these conditions could result in it being crushed.
Head of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, Superintendent Colin Hudson, said:
"In many cases, vehicles being deliberately driven without insurance are an indicator of other offences. For example, our roads policing teams will routinely stop vehicles for having no insurance and further uncover the driver has no licence, or the car is stolen, or there is evidence of crime, often serious in nature.
"The fantastic work our officers are doing in identifying and removing these vehicles from our roads will make them a safer place for all motorists and help keep communities safe by disrupting criminals using the roads."
Simon French, Law Enforcement Liaison Officer at the Motor Insurance Bureau, said:
“We work closely with the police throughout the year, including our colleagues across Thames Valley, to get dangerous uninsured vehicles off the road.
“Tackling uninsured driving isn’t just about getting people to pay premiums – data shows us that those who deliberately drive uninsured cause more frequent and, often, more catastrophic collisions too, so it’s about making roads safer and fairer for everyone. Our message is simple: drive with adequate insurance, or you will be caught.”