UK hotspots for uninsured drivers revealed
Male motorists living in Dumfriesshire are the most likely to have a conviction for driving uninsured, according to moneysupermarket.com.
Britain's number one comparison site has analysed almost three million car insurance quotes over a year and identified areas where there was a strong bias towards a particular type of motorist with a conviction(s) for driving a vehicle when not insured to do so. The analysis reveals men in their early twenties living in the Scottish town of Sanquhar in Dumfriesshire, have the highest proportion of convictions on their license for driving uninsured (28 per cent). Men of the same age living in Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, and those in Glasgow, take second and third place, with 24 per cent and 20 per cent respectively having the IN10 conviction.
Steve Sweeney, head of car insurance at moneysupermarket.com, said: "It seems men under 25 year are not only the country's "boy racers" but also "law breakers". With half of the top ten profiles for uninsured drivers being males under 25 years old, they are more likely to flout the law by driving without car insurance. Unfortunately the high cost of car insurance, especially for younger drivers, could be the overriding reason for this. Unfortunately, with recent news that the cost of comprehensive car insurance increased by almost 19 per cent in 2009, we could see the number of uninsured drivers on our roads increase in the future.
"Whatever the distance, driving without insurance is illegal. Anyone caught doing so could face hefty penalties which include a £200 on-the-spot fine and six points on their licence. There's also the possibility of the car being impounded - involving a £150 collection charge and £20 per day charged for storage. If Brits are foregoing their motor insurance for cost reasons it clearly is a false economy."
The research reveals men are the worst offenders for driving uninsured, with only one female profile appearing in the top ten. Female motorists in their early twenties living in the market town of Dunstable in Bedfordshire take seventh spot.
Steve Sweeney continues: "Uninsured motorists cost the industry £500 million each year in claims, and cause the cost of cover to rise by an average £30 for more responsible motorists. It is worrying to see the UK has one of the worst records in Western Europe for uninsured driving. In the current economic climate, many may be questioning whether they can afford car insurance, so it is encouraging to see support and advice coming through from the Motor Insurers' Bureau ‘Stay Insured' campaign which is designed for drivers worried about the cost of car cover due to increased financial pressures.
"By being covered to drive a car, you are not only protecting yourself in the event of an accident, theft or damage, but you are safeguarded against other less cautious motorists as well. The cost of running and insuring a car can be expensive - especially for younger drivers - however it is quicker and easier than ever to find a good deal for your car insurance by shopping around."