Get your car insured, says Coquitlam RCMP

The Coquitlam RCMP is reminding drivers to make sure your car is insured before you get behind the wheel.

This comes after police say they have seen a dramatic increase in cars being driven without valid insurance. Since the beginning of January, they have issued 24 violation tickets, they say — a sharp uptick from January 2023, when they issued 11 tickets for the entire month.

Police say they the number of those driving without insurance has increased steadily over the past year, pointing to the fact that as of May 2022, licence plate decals were no longer required on vehicles as a possible contributing factor.

“When our officers stop vehicles for no insurance, drivers are often saying that they forgot or didn’t realize because they don’t have the decal reminder on their vehicle anymore.” said Staff Sgt. Mark McCutcheon, Traffic Services Commander with the Coquitlam RCMP.

“We strongly encourage drivers to ensure that their vehicles are properly insured before traveling.”

Drivers caught without insurance could get hit with a $598 ticket and their vehicle towed.