Drivers have been warned of new day-to-day enforcement operations targeting major driving offences across one of the UK’s largest cities.
Greater Manchester Police has launched a joint operation to tackle uninsured driving across the region, with offenders facing hefty punishment.
The operation, which began last week, followed reports from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau that Manchester’s M18 postal area in Gorton was a key hotspot for uninsured drivers.
In response, the police launched targeted checks along the high-risk areas, with the operation already proving effective.
During the day of action, 88 vehicles were stopped, with five vehicles seized, and one driver was arrested under Section 5A of the Road Traffic Act for drug driving.
A further 17 drivers were found to have seatbelt offences, while eight were fined for number plate violations and seven were using their phones.
An additional seven drivers were caught with illegal window tints, while four drivers were travelling without insurance.
Sergeant Rebecca McElroy, Roads Policing Unit, said: “The M18 postcode was identified as the eighth worst in the UK for uninsured drivers. According to MIB statistics, one person is killed every week by an uninsured driver, and every 20 minutes someone is hit by one.
The operation saw several vehicles seized by the police for breaching road safety rules
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GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE
“Every day, someone suffers life-changing injuries because of this crime. Driving without insurance is not acceptable. It’s six penalty points and a fine, but more importantly, it’s about doing what’s right and keeping our roads safe.”
Meanwhile, Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, warned that uninsured driving “is not a victimless crime”.
In the UK, drivers can be slapped with a £300 fine and issued six penalty points. If the case is taken to court, it could result in an unlimited fine, driving disqualification, and having the vehicle seized or destroyed.
Data shows that three in four drivers would support tougher penalties for uninsured drivers if it meant making roads safer.
Sergeant Rebecca McElroy warned that every 20 minutes, someone is hit by an uninsured driver
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GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE
The MIB revealed that 75 per cent of respondents supported increasing the fine for driving without insurance to £1,200, which could help crack down on rulebreakers.
Ms Green said: “Our Vision Zero ambition is clear: no one should be killed or seriously injured on Greater Manchester’s roads.
“That means tackling dangerous behaviours head-on and supporting GMP as they use intelligence-led operations to keep people safe.”
Hayley Sutcliffe, law enforcement liaison officer at MIB, warned that uninsured driving is not just a legal issue, but has real consequences for road safety and for victims who are left vulnerable when collisions occur.
She explained that by working together with police forces across the UK, the authorities can better identify uninsured vehicles and act more efficiently.
“Education is key to prevention, and we’re committed to supporting police forces in both enforcement and awareness,” Ms Sutcliffe stated.
Meanwhile, Ms Green thanked officers involved in the Manchester operation who helped identify drivers who “chose to break the law and endanger others”.
She warned that the operation was about “fairness, responsibility and protecting every person who travels on our roads”.