London's uninsured motorists on the rise

London's number of uninsured drivers has climbed by over 40 per cent in just two years, according to the London Assembly Liberal Democrats.

The figures reveal that while 19,052 uninsured drivers were caught in 2001, by 2003 the number had risen by more than 7,000 to 26,797. An increase of more than twice the national average.

London's Lib Dems have labelled the uninsured drivers as a "major social, legal and criminal problem", and have called for something to be done to ensure the safety of properly insured motorists.

"Loss of life or injury through a road accident is traumatic in itself, but to then discover that the perpetrator has no insurance to provide redress must be unbearable," said the party's transport spokesman Geoff Pope.

According to the party, the rising number of uninsured motorists has had a knock on effect on all aspects of motoring, pushing up the cost of road tax, insurance and even petrol.

Research has also shown that uninsured drivers are ten times more likely to have a drink-driving conviction and nine times as likely to be involved in an accident.

Mr Pope went on to call for fines to be increased for uninsured drivers: "The message must be sent loud and clear that people who drive without being insured will be caught and faced with a hard-hitting penalty," he added.