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What do People Really Think About Uninsured Drivers? Asks CIS

MANCHESTER, August 11 -- 63% of Britain's drivers believe that those who drive without insurance should be punished, with only 31% believing offenders should be rehabilitated, according to research conducted by leading motor insurer Co-operative Insurance Society Limited (CIS).

The aim of the research was to establish the views and attitudes of insured drivers towards those who drive uninsured. The research concentrated on four main areas, attitudes towards uninsured drivers, penalties for driving uninsured, whether those who offend should be punished or rehabilitated and should there be funding in place to help those who offend.

So What Do People Really Think?

- 35% felt that those who drove without insurance were irresponsible, stupid, a danger and a risk to other road users,

- 12% were firmly of the belief that everyone should be insured,

- 10% felt that they shouldn't be driving

- whilst 8% considered that the innocent driver always losses out.

Those questioned had a very negative view about drivers who are uninsured describing them as stupid and irresponsible.

"I think they are being selfish and very irresponsible." They are a liability." "Mindless irresponsible low lives".

When asked what their opinions were about appropriate penalties for driving without insurance respondents were of a firm belief that penalties were too lenient, especially for persistent offenders and that existing penalties were not an effective deterrent.

However when asked if they knew what the penalty for driving without insurance was surprisingly 85% said they didn't know! Of those who thought they knew:

- 61% said they thought it was a fine,

- 20% said it was a disqualification,

- 21% said it was a jail sentence,

- and 8% said it was between 6 to 8 penalty points.

Those who felt that penalties were too lenient were asked what stiffer penalties should be,

- 22% thought that fines should be more in line with insurance costs,

- 20% thought that uninsured drivers should be banned with 14% believing that this should be an automatic ban and 6% believing the ban should be for life,

"I think they should be banned for a year and if you re-offend then banned for life."

- 17% thought that uninsured drivers should be sent to jail,

"about a year in jail for driving uninsured", "I think it should be a prisonable offence, because if they receive a fine they would still keep on driving."

On the issue of whether offenders should be punished or rehabilitated the emphasis was on punishment. Only one third of those questioned believed that offenders should be rehabilitated, with two thirds believing that offenders should definitely be punished in one way or another.

- 63% believed offenders should be punished,

- 31% believed offenders should be rehabilitated, of which 12% believed offenders should be sent on training courses and 6% thought that offenders should be made to visit the victims of their actions.

"They need to be taught the consequences, maybe take them to a crash site for shock value", "To have a situation where they are brought in contact with the victim of road traffic accidents."

On the subject of funding for uninsured drivers and whether those who offend should be helped financially to obtain future insurance those questioned were very clear on the issue,

- 86% thought they should not be given any funding,

- with only 14% believing that they should be offered some kind of funding.

Andy Watson CIS General Insurance Director commented, "It is clear from this research that the honest motorist has very little sympathy for those individuals who drive without insurance. It is important that the public recognise that as an industry we are committed to tackling the issue of driving uninsured. With the introduction of the Motor Insurers Database(1) the process of identifying uninsured drivers has been simplified. What we now need and which is an obvious concern to law abiding motorists are effective measures, such as more appropriate penalties, that will be effective deterrents".

The database enables the police to check a driver's insurance details at the roadside, saving valuable police time and inconvenience to law - abiding motorists.

Customers wanting information about CIS's products and services should call the CIS Service Centre on +44(0)8457-46-46-46. Or log onto www.cis.co.uk

Co-operative Insurance Society (CIS) is the insurance arm of Co-operative Financial Services (CFS), a group that provides a range of banking, insurance, savings' and pensions products to more than 6 million people across the UK. An ISDN line is available for broadcast interviews. Please note that CIS does not pay reproduction or separation charges for the publication of press releases.