Hundreds of cars seized and taken off South Yorkshire's roads

AROUND 600 vehicles have been seized from roads across South Yorkshire in just two months - an average of nine a day.

In a most recent roads policing survey, in which 2,000 people responded, 22 per cent said that they wanted the police to target uninsured drivers - and officers across the region have done just that.

Officers from across the force seized 327 vehicles in June and a further 262 in July.

Roads policing officer Sgt Rob Jones, explains why taking uninsured cars off the road is so important.

He said: "Driving without insurance is illegal and will not be tolerated on our roads.

“Uninsured drivers pose a risk to other roads user for a number of reasons; those who take a risk by not being insured are more likely to take further risks in their driving manner and vehicles use.

“Some drivers are unaware that their insurance is invalid and fail to realise you need to ensure your policy covers you if you’re using another vehicle, even if that vehicle has insurance.

“Motorists caught driving without insurance will receive a minimum £300 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence. Vehicles will be seized and potentially crushed or sold at auction. Uninsured drivers can also be referred to court where they face an unlimited fine and a driving ban."

Sgt Jones added that having valid insurance was about more than it being the law - it is also designed to protect victims of road traffic collisions by providing them with financial compensation.

He said: "The consequences of driving without insurance are significant and I want to remind the public that it's a risk that's simply not worth taking.”

Alongside seizing vehicles for having no insurance, vehicles are also seized for investigation purposes or those believed to have been used in crimes.

Sgt Jones continued: "One of our main priorities as roads policing officers is to intercept criminal’s use of our road networks.

“Offenders involved in organised crime use vehicles to move around the country, distributing drugs, money as well as other criminality. They will often use stolen vehicles on cloned licence plates to drive across our county and the wider area.

“Seizing stolen cars disrupts this type of crime and can sometimes mean we can reunite the vehicle back with its owner.

“Seizures for cars believed to be used in crime can give us forensic opportunities and evidence to ensure those involved are prosecuted for their actions.”

Roads officers continued to crack down on uninsured drivers this week.

SYP Operational Support said the vehicle pictured was uninsured and the driver had no licence.

The motorist, who also had £6,000 on him, was arrested for several offences after being stopped in Rotherham on Tuesday and the car was seized.