Uninsured vehicles should be fined strictly for insurance claims settlements as compensation from insurance companies. This public argument is valid and is the primary reason why vehicle insurance is mandatory in most countries to meet financial losses in terms of vehicle damage and loss of life due to accidents.
Requiring strict fines for uninsured vehicles protects accident victims from significant financial loss and holds uninsured vehicles and drivers accountable. Strict enforcement protects accident victims from monetary loss, especially for hospitalisation and death. In an accident, a father lost his 22-year-old son. The father couldn't get compensation through the insurance company because the alleged accused hadn’t insured his bike and he was a poor man from Nepal. So what could be the judgment?
This is the result of uninsured vehicles! When a vehicle involved in an accident is uninsured, the victim faces the burden of seeking compensation directly from the at-fault driver. The at-fault driver is often unable to pay for significant medical bills, lost wages, and property damage, leaving the victim in a dire financial situation. Strict penalties encourage drivers to maintain insurance, ensuring a reliable source of compensation is available in case of an accident.
Finally, life is important. When a high percentage of drivers are uninsured, the cost is passed on to responsible drivers. Insured drivers are forced to pay higher premiums for uninsured motorist coverage to protect themselves in case they are hit by an uninsured driver. Most countries impose severe penalties to enforce compulsory insurance laws, often including more than just fines. In the United Kingdom, a fixed penalty notice (FPN) of £300 and six points on the driver's licence are imposed. If the case goes to court, an unlimited fine and disqualification from driving are possible. The police can seize and destroy uninsured vehicles.
In India, the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, increased penalties substantially: a fine of ₹2,000 for a first offence and ₹4,000 for a repeat offence, with possible imprisonment for up to three months. Authorities can suspend a driver's licence and seize the vehicle. This law should be seriously enforced by the Traffic Enforcement Department.
