Fine is real deterrent (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Fine is real deterrent

8:20am Monday 13th February 2012 in Readers' letters By Telegraph & Argus

SIR – Concerns expressed about the derisory penalties imposed by the courts on uninsured drivers which are no deterrent at all, are well- founded.

Although the West Yorkshire Police do a good job catching them, their efforts are undermined by the policy of ‘ability to pay’, regardless of the offence introduced by the last Labour Government, which in practice means that fines for any young person eg on benefits will never reflect the high cost of insurance borne by legitimate motorists, making it worth a gamble.

In Switzerland, both local and visiting vehicles need a ‘vignette’ or tax disc to use motorways there, plus another for any trailer or caravan drawn, costing around £25 each and valid for the year of issue. These are widely on sale both in Switzerland and at garages or border posts on approaching roads in Germany, France or Austria: Caught without one, the fine is double the cost plus you have to buy one anyway – a triple whammy!

So why not make the fine here for no insurance double the average cost of minimum third-party insurance for the age group of the driver – probably about £2,000 today – with a driving ban in force until all the fine is paid off?

A real deterrent if every there was one.

D S Boyes, Rodley Lane, Leeds