Why is driving uninsured such a big deal?

[FlynnFlynn]

Here's something that has always infuriated me-the overreaction to driving without insurance. I know a lot of people here are very well to do well off posh gits born with silver spoons in their mouths, but most of us mere mortals are struggling to get by working minimum wage jobs on zero hours contracts.

Now don't get me wrong here, I know if you knock someone else's vehicle whilst uninsured it causes some hassle etc, but is it really necessary to stop someone by the roadside and not even let them drive home? And why the draconian measures?

If you are caught you face half your license points allowance taken up, a massive fine and your vehicle impounded.

How the juddery fk is that proportionate???

What is wrong with a slap on the wrist like in the good old common sense days and being escorted home (so that you don't carry on driving without insurance) to sort it out or declare the car SORN?

I don't like how brutal the nanny state is to ordinary citizens, criminalising them for trivial offences.

In America, Australia and New Zealand you don't even need insurance legally. It is wrong that it is a legal requirement when the real crime is the rates the companies charge. They make huge profits, I have 6 years NCB now and that is thousands of pounds since I was 19 for nothing other than some bullst arse legal requirement.

If an American was stopped for no insurance in this country I bet he would give the plod a right old piece of his mind, Aussies and Kiwis would be too chilled out to care though.

You might ask what has sparked this rant well it was reading this thread:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

But it has been brewing for awhile, ever since trying to get insured on my old man's car when I was 17 and seeing quotes of 3k for learning in a 2 litre non turbo diesel 1993 Toyota Corolla.

So I say let's march on the insurance companies HQ and burn them to the ground!!!