David Ruffley MP has today released new figures, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, which reveal that Suffolk Constabulary have been making full use of new fixed penalty powers which came into force in March 2006.

In 2007, the latest year for which figures are available and the first full year of being able to issue fixed penalty notices for the offences of driving without insurance and driving without a valid MOT certificate, Suffolk Constabulary punished 482 and 478 motorists respectively for each offence.

From March to December 2006, 206 fixed penalty notices were issued for driving without insurance and 58 for driving without a valid MOT certificate.

David said:

'Driving without valid insurance or a valid MOT certificate are two of the most irresponsible and foolhardy offences a motorist can commit.

'These are selfish crimes committed by people with no respect for the safety or property of other road users. I am delighted that Suffolk Constabulary appears to have made good use of fixed penalty notices during 2007- clamping down on these offences is vital if we are to make our roads safer for the vast majority of law abiding Suffolk residents.

'I applaud Suffolk Constabulary's efforts clamping down on irresponsible car insurance dodgers and I hope these statistics serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can get away with flouting the law.'