Police seize car on M-way... as driver wasn’t insured for daily commute

BRITAIN’S motorists were warned yesterday to check their insurance after a driver travelling to work at the weekend had his car seized by police who found he was not covered for commuting.

The driver’s car may now be crushed because he told officers the truth about where he was going.

Police faced a storm of criticism on social media, with users suggesting the car’s owner had been penalised for being honest when he was pulled over on Saturday.

Critics said the motorist would now be car-less and could lose his job. There were also complaints from people involved in accidents which police refused to attend, saying officers should be chasing ‘real villains’.

West Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit has been widely criticised on Twitter for stopping the VW hatchback during a routine check on the M62 near Huddersfield.

The driver told the officers he was going to work. But they checked his policy and found he was not insured for travelling to his job. They stopped him going any further and seized his car. They have now warned all drivers to check with their insurers to make sure they are covered for the commute to work.

The officers tweeted a picture of the car on the hard shoulder and said: ‘M62 West, Huddersfield – Driver commuting from work – insurance policy excludes commuting. Also an incorrect address on the policy. Seized and reported.’

Once cars have been seized by the police they may be sold at auction, or crushed and sold for scrap, with the cash going to the force.

The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), which compensates motorists involved in collisions with uninsured drivers, said: ‘To use your vehicle to get to and from work your policy will need to cover use for commuting.

‘ This is often referred to as “social, domestic, pleasure and commuting”. You can find out if you are covered for commuting by checking your insurance certificate and schedule. This document explains what uses of the vehicle you are covered for.

‘The MIB Police Helpline will regularly contact insurers directly to establish what cover is in place. This information is conveyed to the police officer waiting at the roadside with the policyholder.

‘A serious breach of the insurance policy terms could result in the police seizing the vehicle.’

Neil Drane, head of enforcement at the MIB, said: ‘It’s clear that many people still don’t fully understand the insurance cover they have purchased. This can lead to them unwittingly driving without insurance.

‘It’s important that you check your policy carefully before taking to the road, otherwise you risk having an unnecessary encounter with a police officer.’

A number of Twitter users criticised the officers. Richard Longbottom commented: ‘Clearly a busy day at the office. Embarrassing really isn’t it.’ Rob Clarke added: ‘Merry Christmas to you too, keep up the important work.’ But others said it was important that uninsured drivers were stopped.

West Yorkshire Police’s Road Policing Unit defended its officers following the backlash. A spokesman said: ‘Regarding the above comments, for obvious reasons we cannot discuss this specific incident in detail, however we always ensure the law is enforced fairly and proportionately.

‘If using the vehicle for a class of use not covered, then the vehicle is uninsured for that journey.’

‘The vehicle is uninsured’