Police say advances in technology are behind a huge rise in the number of motorists being caught without insurance or a valid MOT in Dundee.
New figures show an increase in vehicle crime in the city and also across Tayside between April 1 and June 30 this year.
Offences for driving without an MOT have risen by 153% — up from 62 to 157.
Meanwhile people driving without insurance in Dundee also jumped significantly, rising 70% compared to the same period last year.
But a top police chief said today that the rise was a result of “advances in technology” which make it easier for police to identify offenders.
Inspector Ray Cuthill, the head of road policing in Tayside, said police were continuing a “zero tolerance” approach.
Speaking to the Tele, he said: “Advances in technology have meant that detecting those driving without either a licence, insurance or an MOT has become easier for officers.
“This includes accessing the motoring insurance database.
“The technology has progressed a lot over the past five years or so, meaning we are able to tackle these offenders more easily — rather than them being caught by chance if they’re stopped.
“I’d say, broadly speaking, people who are involved in other offending are more likely to be committing driving offences.
“We, as other motorists, pay for people who don’t insure their cars as it pushes premiums up.
“I don’t think there has been an increase in these crimes, rather it just shows the zero-tolerance approach adopted by Police Scotland and that the technology is providing a higher detection rate.”
The Police Scotland figures also revealed there was a 32% spike in those driving without a licence in the city — rising from 105 to 139.
Dangerous driving offences also rose in Dundee, increasing to 1,444 compared to 1,147 for the same time period the year before.
Speeding also continued to be a problem on the area’s roads, with 282 offences recorded between April and June.
Meanwhile, regional figures paint a similar picture.
In Tayside there were 305 people caught by officers driving without an MOT in the last year, an 83% increase compared with 2015/16.
There were 270 people caught driving without a licence in Tayside, up from 228 — an 18% increase.
Driving without insurance was up 27% in the same period, from 454 to 578.
Ian Crowder, insurance expert for the AA, which provides insurance, breakdown cover and other services to motorists — said those committing the crimes showed disregard for other drivers.
He said: “Offences involving a lack of a licence, MOT and insurance tend to happen together.
“Many simply disregard the laws of the road and the consequences of what happens if they cause an accident.
“They don’t care if they cause an accident, and have no means of paying for any damage.
“There are others who forget about these things, and perhaps it is unintentional. But on the whole, it’s people trying to buck the system and don’t care about how their actions affect other road users.”