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Welsh study shows local drivers have fewest speeding fines
publication date: Sep 10, 2010
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author/source: Robin Roberts
Welsh drivers have some of the lowest speeding convictions in the UK, according to analysis by Welsh-based Admiral Insurance.
The
rural nature of Wales and scattered police resources is thought to
explain why there are fewer cameras operating to catch speeding drivers.
Welsh drivers could also be travelling less and exposing themselves to
fewer cameras as a result.
Nationally, over one in 10 motorists
have a speeding conviction on their driving licence according to new
research, which also shows where you live could affect your chances of
having one.
Car insurance expert, Admiral looked at statistics
from the last 5 years to see which postcode areas have the highest
percentage of motorists with a speeding conviction. It found that
motorists living in parts of Hertfordshire, Dorset and Surrey are the
most likely to have points for speeding.
Over a quarter (26%) of
drivers in Radlett, Hertfordshire have a speeding conviction, the
highest percentage in Britain. This compares to just 6% of drivers
living in St Ives, Cornwall, the lowest according to Admiral's
statistics.
As well as Radlett, other areas with high
percentages include Sandbanks in Poole, Dorset with 24%, Leatherhead in
Surrey with 23% and Westbourne in Bournemouth, Dorset also with 23%.
These all compare to a national average of 14%.
Along with St
Ives, other areas with low percentages include Small Heath in
Birmingham, Wemyss Bay in Inverclyde and Cottingham in East Yorkshire. |
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| Admiral managing director, Sue Longthorn (right), said, "We
wanted to see if there was a pattern between where people live and the
frequency of speeding convictions, and to see an area where over a
quarter of drivers have a conviction is a real surprise.
"This is even
more astonishing when you consider that someone living in the area with
the lowest percentage is 4 times less likely to have a conviction than
the top one."
"For so many areas in Wales to be below the British
average for speeding convictions could be down to a number of reasons.
Firstly, large areas of Wales are rural so there's likely to be less of a
chance for a motorist to encounter a speed camera on their journey.
"Also,
the places highest on the British list tend to be very urban areas,
some of which are within the London commuter belt. Wales is very
different compared to these as in general, there are less urban areas
and people's commutes are shorter." |  |
Admiral also wanted to know people's opinions when it
comes to speeding, so questioned drivers as part of its Annual Survey of
Motorists. It found a massive 87% admit to breaking the speed limit and
69% think the speed limit on the motorway should be 80mph or more.
Sue
continued, "Our statistics show a worrying trend that people see a
speed limit as simply a guide rather than a speed that's appropriate for
that road. It's a wonder that the national average for speeding
convictions isn't higher given this fact.
"If we look at these
statistics in the years to come, it'll be interesting to see if speeding
convictions come down in the areas where speed cameras are being
switched off."
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