While people who don't have car insurance are killing increasing numbers of people on the road, the fines they face for being uninsured are dropping.
The number of people being killed by uninsured drivers is on the rise.
Crash data obtained by the Times newspaper shows that, from 2000 to 2006, the overall death toll from accidents caused by motorists who had not taken out car insurance rose from 160 to 208 per year. However, it has also emerged that the average fine faced by motorists caught driving without car insurance has actually fallen from £224 to £185 since 1997 - a 17 percent drop.
By law, courts can fine uninsured drivers - of which there are estimated to be around 1.5 million in the UK - a maximum of £5,000. However, new legislation coming into force next week has introduced custodial sentences of up to two years for "reckless driving", as the government bids to crack down on motorists who show poor levels of road safety.
Previous studies have shown that uninsured drivers cause proportionally higher numbers of accidents than other motorists.
Commenting, Lib Dem transport spokesman Mark Hunter said: "It beggars belief that penalties for uninsured drivers have become more lenient on this Government's watch. Uninsured drivers are a dangerous and often fatal blight on our roads and responsible motorists are forking out for higher premiums to pay for their misadventures."
Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers added: "Labour has repeatedly sent out the wrong message to irresponsible drivers who flout the law and dodge paying insurance."
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