Written question asked by Pete Wishart (Scottish National Party) on Monday, 10 December 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 December 2001. It was answered by David Jamieson (Labour) on Monday, 17 December 2001 on behalf of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the number of uninsured drivers using the roads; and what plans he has to reduce this number. - Includes figures.

Answer: Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of uninsured drivers using the roads; and what plans he has to reduce this number. [22769] Mr. Jamieson: It is estimated that between 4 per cent. and 6 per cent. of motorists drive while uninsured, an offence for which 300,140 people were convicted and more than 28,000 were disqualified during 1999. The motor insurers' recently established Motor Insurance Database will lead to a significant reduction in uninsured driving as police are now able to query insurance details immediately from the roadside. Police inquiries to the database are running at 22,000 a day.

Secondary information