Operation M4: Tackling uninsured drivers in South Wales

Five police forces have worked in collaboration last week (April 11) in a first-of-its-kind operation, tackling uninsured driving along the length of the M4 from London to Swansea.

The MIB (Motor Insurers' Bureau) initiative working alongside officers from South Wales, Gwent, Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire, and Thames Valley Police has seen uninsured vehicles seized along the 170 mile stretch of M4 carriageways.

Following a morning briefing South Wales Police officers conducted the operation along the M4, using ANPR cameras (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) and multiple units to identify and stop uninsured drivers.

Here are the results for all five forces combined:

. Thousands of vehicle registration plates checked against the MID, the register of all live insurance policies within the UK.

. 109 vehicle stops.

. 51 vehicle seizures, plus 5 arrests and 7 prosecutions for other offences

. 24 other offences identified (24% of all stops and 29% of those seized)

. 8 found driving disqualified or with no/expired driving licence.

. 16 no MOT and/or no tax

. 4 driving under the influence of drink and/or drugs

. 2 stolen vehicles

Every 20 minutes, someone is hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver in the UK. This cost motorists an average of £53 each year in insurance premiums.

The consequences of being uninsured whilst driving are:

. Vehicle could be seized and crushed.

. £300 fixed penalty notice

. Six points on license

.  If the case goes to court, could receive a driving ban and an unlimited fine.