A NEW law being drafted to crackdown on uninsured drivers is much needed, according to a young bank worker whose car was hit last year. The law is intended to give police the power to seize uninsured cars at the roadside and HSBC employee Richard Le Lerre hopes it will help protect others from what he had to go through.

He had to pay £2,000 to repair his vehicle after an uninsured driver crashed into him at the Ville au Roi roundabout.

The damage included a broken bumper grill and headlamps and a damaged right-hand frame.

‘The insurers proved it to be have been his fault, but I was left having to pay for the damage,’ said Mr Le Lerre.

‘I think it was really unfair and the court couldn’t do anything to make sure he paid me,’ he said.

‘I was left short because he didn’t have insurance and what he was fined was less than the amount I had to pay to fix my car.’

Mr Le Lerre could not claim any compensation because he did not qualify to do so.

Although a first draft has not yet been completed, a spokesman from the Home Department said it would be closely based on Jersey legislation. It will form part of a new regime that includes the introduction at the start of next year of insurance discs which are to be displayed on the windscreen.

These will make it easier for police to identify vehicles without insurance.

‘I think people will support this legislation and it’s important, because it really is a lot of hassle otherwise,’ said Mr Le Lerre.

‘It’s a shame it’s come too late for me, but I hope it will stop it happening to other people.’