Breakneck speeding professions

Speed is essential on the pitch, but footballers are unfortunately transferring these skills to the streets according to research from moneysupermarket.com.

Footballers are certainly the hastiest profession on the roads with over one in four likely to speed. Astrologers on the other hand tend to keep well within the limit, with only two per cent caught speeding in the past five years.

It’s a good job the likes of David Beckham employ au pairs to look after their little ones as only four per cent of au pairs have been caught breaking the limit.

The research by the UK's leading price comparison site shows those in high powered professions seem to be the quickest behind the wheel, with a quarter of surgeons and one in five barristers, finance directors and pilots likely to speed.

Richard Mason, director of insurance at moneysupermarket.com, said: "In a rush to get to training and keep in the good books of their manager, footballers, more than any other profession, are the most likely to be caught hurtling down the motorway.

"Perhaps the pressure of high-powered jobs causes drivers to break the limit. Higher pay cheques often mean flashier cars too, which might encourage drivers to put their foot down."

Fittingly, driving examiners are among those least likely to speed, along with some professions that see enough death during the day – pathologists, gravediggers and abattoir workers. School crossing wardens, laundry workers and cleaners are also taking care of the nation's roads by staying within the speed limit.

Richard Mason added: "Our research shows the fines associated with speeding have an effect, as those who can least afford to pay them are generally sticking to the speed limit far better.

"The insurance industry though needs to revisit the premiums it charges. Astrologers, au pairs and driving examiners should be paying a lot less than footballers, sales directors, and surgeons."