Region one of worst for uninsured drivers

The West Midlands has been revealed as one of the worst areas in the country for uninsured drivers.

According to figures revealed today, about 127,000 vehicles out of 1.9 million on the region's roads without cover. Ten of the top 20 worst places for uninsured motorists have Birmingham postcodes, including Smethwick.

Handsworth and Aston were also among them as the West Midlands as a region was named joint fourth worst area in the country, with seven per cent of vehicles showing up as uninsured.

In Handsworth, near the border with Sandwell, 41 per cent of vehicles were found to have no insurance cover, with 40 per cent in the Small Heath area of the city.

Smethwick was named as the 11th worst postcode area in the country, while other areas named in the 20 worst hotspots include Newtown, Aston, Bordesley, Balsall Heath, Tyseley and Nechells Park.

Nationally, Barkerend in Bradford, West Yorkshire, was named as the country's worst spot for uninsured drivers while the London Metropolitan region was the worst regional area, with 13 per cent of drivers having no insurance.

The figures have been released by the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) as part of a campaign to stop people from avoiding insurance payments in a bid to save cash.

Up to 500 uninsured vehicles are seized each day as part of a crackdown on the offence.

Ashton West, chief executive of the Motor Insurers' Bureau, said: "The fact that 1.7 million motorists still take to the roads without insurance is staggering; but there is no doubt that the number of drivers caught each year is increasing significantly, so drivers simply cannot afford to be complacent.

"The message to motorists is clear: driving uninsured is simply not worth the risk."