A collection of high-end supercars, including two purple Lamborghini Aventador SVJs, was among those seized in an operation in London this past weekend. According to a report by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), the operation targeted dangerous driving and uninsured motorists; in just a couple of days, 72 cars worth almost £7 million (about $9.4 million at current exchange rates) were taken off the streets.
The MIB says the crackdown was initiated after an increased concern by the public over visiting motorists who drive recklessly and are unfamiliar with U.K. insurance laws. Several of the vehicles seized were brought in from other countries; problem is, some of the owners rely on car insurance from their home countries and don’t verify whether those policies provide valid coverage in the U.K.
The pair of purple Lamborghinis were flown into the U.K. so the owner could enjoy them while on vacation, according to the MIB; however, they were both uninsured. One Lambo driver was only in the country for two hours and had been driving for just 15 minutes when the car was seized. Other cars seen in photographs posted by the MIB include a Ferrari 812 Competizione, a Ferrari 296, a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and a Mercedes-AMG G63.
75 officers from the Metropolitan Police Special Constabulary and Vehicle Enforcement Team were assisted by the MIB in identifying uninsured drivers. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), predictive movement tracking and vehicle markers were all used to spot and seize the cars. (Of course, some of the owners made things easier by driving cars that don’t exactly blend in with traffic.)
In addition to dangerous driving and a lack of insurance, there were several other infractions that officers allegedly detected during the operation. Stolen vehicles, drug offenses and immigration offenses, as well as less serious crimes such as illegally tinted windows and not wearing a seatbelt, were all identified and dealt with accordingly, according to the MIB statement.
Enforcement operations like this are expected to continue throughout the year. “With growing concern over seasonal hotspots and tourist-linked offenses, the Met and MIB plan to continue enforcement and education efforts throughout the year,” said Martin Saunders, head of uninsured driving prevention at MIB. In other words: if you're planning on bringing your car to Great Britain, make sure your paperwork is all sorted out first.
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