Usage of Ghost Plates Increasing According to Quotezone's Report
In a recent analysis, car insurance comparison site Quotezone revealed a concerning trend of illegal and non-compliant number plate offences across England. The data, obtained from various police forces, highlights several hotspots where such incidents are prevalent.
Leading the list is Humberside, with a staggering 122 incidents per 100,000 people, followed closely by Greater Manchester with 95 incidents per 100,000 people. At the other end of the scale, motorists in Northumbria were the most compliant, with only 4 offences recorded last year, equating to just 4 offences per 100,000 people.
The sharp rise in such offences has triggered renewed calls for stricter regulation and enforcement. Ghost number plates, where a fake number plate is used and the ID of a taxpaying driver is exploited, is a common issue in the UK. If a driver suspects they are a victim of ghost plating and their registration number has been stolen, they should inform the police and the DVLA immediately to avoid penalty points being accumulated on the wrong license.
Nottinghamshire Police Force, for example, have recently equipped their Roads Policing Unit with equipment to assist in identifying ghost plates. Some police forces have confirmed they are taking active steps to combat this issue.
The use of non-standard characters, incorrect fonts, spacing, or sizing is considered an illegal number plate modification. Drivers caught with illegal number plates can be fined up to £1,000. For six penalty points, the average increase in car insurance premium could reach 25%. Drivers who accumulate three penalty points could see their car insurance premium increase by an average of 5%.
Quotezone CEO and car insurance expert Greg Wilson commented on the surge in illegal number plate offences, stating, "Ghost number plates have surged in popularity across England..."
The UK government is also considering introducing a new measure. They are considering consulting on introducing green coloured number plates for electric vehicles. However, the RAC has expressed concern over the proposal to create EV-only parking spaces, as it could lead to more social division and conflict.
It's important to note that Quotezone is a car insurance comparison site that helps over 4 million customers every year find savings on car insurance in the UK. For drivers in Northern Ireland, there is CompareNI.com, a separate price comparison site.
The DVLA has been criticized for not doing enough to prevent car cloning in the UK. As the issue continues to escalate, it remains crucial for authorities to take decisive action to ensure the safety and fairness of the road for all drivers.
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