Illegal drivers in police spotlight

Nov 7 2008 by Jenny Wood, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THE full force of the law has been in action across the Big County to literally clampdown on illegal drivers.

Local police officers have been using their powers to seize vehicles falling short of the law and this year 60% more drivers have had their car keys taken off them and their vehicle “disposed” of.

A typical offence resulting in a long walk home or a beckoning bus stop is driving with no insurance.

To get their vehicle back offenders have seven days to prove they have valid insurance, pay an impoundment fee and then a daily charge for having enjoyed the services of the pound. The final bill can run into hundreds of pounds.

If the owner fails to return, after seven days the vehicle is destroyed or disposed of.

And road traffic police Sergeant Kerry Macleod told the PA the get-tough powers are generally welcomed by law-abiding road users.

He added: “These powers are there to remove unlawful vehicles from the road, but it is still concerning so many drivers continue to drive without insurance.”

The new powers came into force last year which allow police to seize vehicles of uninsured drivers and drivers who do not hold a full licence or any licence at all.