Reducing the Risk of Accidents with Not Insured British Vehicles in Southern Spain

Abstract

This research commenced when different Police departments from the Southern Spain observed an increase of irregularities in accident reports involving British vehicles. Primarily, vehicles seemed to have valid insurance, however, since they lacked Administrated Licences (Road Tax) or approved Roadworthy Certification, the damage caused in the accident by these vehicles was not being covered by Insurance Companies. British Police offers public information about British vehicles via websites for government and companies that Spanish Police checks with possible fraudulent vehicles to avoid this situation. This fraud affects countries and insurance companies. There are detected a significant amount of fraudulent vehicles that are driven in Spain. Using the information provided by British government this number of fraudulent vehicles and the problem related to accidents with non insured vehicles has been reduced. Public information and collaboration between British and Spanish Polices allow detecting frauds in vehicles with administrative irregularities and protect drivers that have accidents with these vehicles ensuring safety for road users. Methodology used in this research could be extended to different European Police departments, not only Spanish, where fraudulent vehicles are detected. This also will constitute a global reduction in risk of accidents due to mechanical problems in vehicles that are not officially checked.