Nearly 19,000 uninsured vehicles were seized by gardaí last year following the introduction of the new Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID) last year, writes Gareth McNamee.
A total of 18,676 vehicles were seized last year – up by 67% from the 11,201 vehicles seized for the same offence in 2023.
The number of insurance-related summonses and charges issued by gardaí reached 26,094 in 2024, up by 23% from 21,198 in 2023.
These statistics are included in the first IMID annual report, which has just been published by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland.
This database was set up to provide legal authorities with the motor insurance details for all vehicles on Irish roads, allowing gardaí to identify uninsured vehicles in seconds through handheld mobile devices or via Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems.
By the end of last year details for 3,471,083 vehicles and 5,629,873 drivers were passed to An Garda Síochána.
Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland chief David Fitzgerald said: “On a daily basis the power of this new tool could be fully seen, helping An Garda Síochána to identify and apprehend thousands more uninsured drivers over the course of the year.
"IMID represents a new dawn in the battle against illegal, uninsured driving."
Photo: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie
