Drivers without insurance were today blamed for hit-and-run accidents almost doubling in Essex over the past four years.
According to Essex Police, the number of motorists failing to stop after a smash went up 43 per cent, from 567 in 1999-2000 to 811 in 2003-2004.
Sgt Andy Beckett, of Rayleigh road policing unit, said: "A lot of the problem is it is often more expensive to insure the car than pay a fine."
Hit-and-run accidents that resulted in serious injury have increased from 50 to 126 in the same period, figures show.
Sgt Beckett thought the rising cost of insurance and an increase in the number of vehicles on the road added to the problem.
He said: "Certainly it is a problem. There is a link between vehicle used for crime and vehicles that are not registered or insured."
Published Tuesday August 10, 2004
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