PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
INTRODUCING COMPULSORY MOTOR INSURANCE DISCS FOR DISPLAY ON CAR WINDSCREENS (25 March 2004)

That this House notes that one in 20 of the motorists currently on Britain's roads are driving uninsured, and that according to the RAC law-abiding drivers will soon have to pay an extra ú60 on their insurance policies to cover the cost of uninsured drivers, with the death, damage and injury that uninsured drivers cause costing ú1 billion; regrets that the public and authorities have no easy means of identifying uninsured drivers; therefore supports proposals to make it compulsory for drivers to display a simple disc on their windscreens as proof of valid insurance; notes that RAC research shows that 87 per cent. of drivers would support a disc if it leads to lower insurance premiums, and that there was strong support for the Motor Vehicle Insurance Disc Bill, which received its First Reading on 28th January; believes that this should be accompanied by stronger punishments for insurance evasion, including larger fines, driving bans, community service, and custodial sentences for repeat offenders, because current penalties, which are often only around ú150, do not work as a deterrent, welcomes the Government-initiated review of these issues being conducted by Professor David Greenaway of Nottingham University; hopes that Professor Greenaway will recommend schemes similar to those operating abroad, where insurance disc schemes work well and there is less insurance evasion; and calls on the Government to support such proposals.

Sponsored by:
Dame Siobhain McDonagh (Labour)