POLICE seized 11 cars from drivers with no insurance in a week-long operation aimed at making Cumbria's roads safer.

Cumbria Police took part in Op Drive Insured, which ran from November 20 to November 26, and was established nationally to target uninsured drivers, who are more likely to be involved in collisions, including hit-and-run incidents.

During the week, Cumbria Police stopped 47 vehicles and seized 11 for no insurance.

Driving uninsured can have severe consequences that stay with you year-after-year, including:

•            A £300 fine

•            Six points on your licence

•            Vehicle seized and potentially crushed

•            Court referral, resulting in an unlimited fine and a driving ban

•            Driving convictions can show in background checks, impacting job prospect

Officers working on the Op Insured operation were also on the lookout for dangerous drivers of all types.

Over the course of the week, they also made 16 arrests for being over the prescribed limit – seven on suspicion of drink driving and nine on suspicion of drug driving.

Inspector Jack Stabler, who leads Cumbria Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “Whilst this type of enforcement activity is day business for our officers, it is important to highlight that those who seek to get behind the wheel without valid insurance are being targeted and will be held accountable.

“Our officers are on the roads every day working to reduce the number of serious and fatal road traffic collisions by targeting dangerous driving.

“Make sure your insurance is valid and in place today before you are stopped and your car is seized by one of our officers.”