The Police Service of Northern Ireland has seized 2,246 uninsured vehicles across Northern Ireland between 1 January and 31 October this year, according to provisional figures released as a national campaign gets underway.

Operation Drive Insured runs from Monday 9 November until Sunday 15 November, with roads policing teams conducting proactive operations to detect and remove uninsured vehicles from the roads. The initiative was developed by the National Roads Policing Operations, Intelligence and Investigations committee in partnership with the Motor Insurers' Bureau.

During last year's week-long campaign, 58 uninsured vehicles were seized across Northern Ireland, according to Chief Inspector Celeste Simpson, head of the PSNI's Road Policing Unit.

Chief Inspector Simpson said some drivers detected had assumed their insurance would auto renew, or believed their comprehensive policy covered driving other vehicles. Others were detected using their vehicle for business or reward purposes, while some had forgotten to renew their policies. She said it was critically important that all drivers check they have the appropriate cover in place before taking to the road.

She also encouraged drivers to read correspondence from their insurance company and never make assumptions about vehicle insurance. She noted that some people mistakenly believe they have cover to drive other vehicles but find this is not the case when stopped by police.

Motor Insurers' Bureau data shows the Mid Ulster, Mid and East Antrim and Belfast areas are among the top 20 in the UK for the highest percentage of uninsured vehicles.

A seized vehicle will not be released until valid insurance is produced and a release fee is paid, including recovery and storage charges. After 14 days the vehicle will be sold to recover costs. The offence can carry six to eight penalty points, with the option of a discretionary disqualification and an unlimited fine. If dealt with at the roadside, it carries a fine of £200 and six penalty points.

Chief Inspector Simpson said this week's operations would focus both on removing uninsured vehicles and on educating drivers about innocent mistakes that can leave them without proper cover.