Drive uninsured? No problem, we'll crush your car!

[mwooldri]

I really don't know if this should be in GD or Lounge. But I'm catching up on UK driving laws and regulations and I saw this snippet here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069868

"Uninsured drivers can now be automatically detected by roadside cameras. Further to the penalties for uninsured driving listed in 'Penalties', an offender’s vehicle can now be seized by the Police, taken away and crushed."

:scared:

Not that I'd drive around uninsured anyway but...

[LeftyMom]

1. Wow. It's hard to outdo the US at criminalizing poverty but that will do it.

[Lyric]

2. Yep. And I'm sure you'll get flamed for your comment, too.

But flames don't make it any less true. There should be some kind of government-sponsored liability insurance for the poor, because poor often equals rural, which translates to practically no public transit, so a car/truck is essential in order to get and keep a job.

But see, that's a complicated problem without an easy, feel-good answer. America doesn't like problems like that. DU'ers often don't like them either. *sigh*

[LeftyMom]

5. You were right. See post 4.

:eyes:

[sasquatch]

3. Yep, our nation is really bad at that, especially most baby boomers

[MrCoffee]

4. It's a privilege, not a right.

Regardless of cause, if you can't assume the responsibility, don't assume the privilege.

[DS1]

7. This is the infamous flaming number 4?

Wow, oversensitive much?

MrCoffee simply lays out the facts. Not only that, the public transport in the UK is far better than the crap here.

[LeftyMom]

8. No, just class privileged and clueless.

Public transport still doesn't help if you live in a rural area or work a trade.

MrCoffee should stick to worrying whether his shoes match his suit. :eyes:

[MrCoffee]

9. OK then...

[DS1]

12. The Proletariat hath spoken

[Danger Mouse]

6. Way to go UK, you beat the US at something.

:P

[TK421]

10. Wow...that's pretty harsh! and I have mixed feelings on this

I know it's the law here, but insurance helped me with SQUAT whenever I had an accident, and I've had a few ( four...one was my fault ) oh, and my car window was smashed and glove compartment raided. Again, the cost fell below the deductible so that was out-of-pocket expense

Sometimes ( perhaps not every time ) I think insurance is a fucking scam

[flvegan]

11. *Can be* I think is the key here.

Under the Penalty code, the discipline is 5,000 quid and 6-8 points. I'm sure seizure of the auto is an option, at which point they probably have the option of selling it at auction (makes sense) or crushing it if it's a junker. They probably have to give any lienor the option of collecting the car, since it is technically their property.

In Florida, they automatically suspend your license and if you're caught driving, you get both charges and can get jail time.

As an aside, I CANNOT believe that a speeding charge in the UK is a 1,000 quid fine.

[justabob]

13. wow... I thought just having your car impounded was bad

Dallas just started towing cars if you get pulled over with no proof of insurance, but to have the added bonus of crushing the car too? Wow. I can't imagine having cameras that can rat you out for insurance. I bet the City would love to do that, but damn!