Reviewing data from its own customer base, Admiral has revealed that mobile phone offences account for 3% of convictions notified to the insurer in the last two years and men are responsible for 70% of those convictions.
A Freedom of Information request by Admiral to UK police forces across the UK has revealed over 20,000 drivers were caught using a mobile phone since the tougher laws were introduced, meaning nearly 70 drivers a day are caught. The data also shows the most common regions for drivers to be caught using a mobile phone, and who the biggest offenders are.
As the new analysis is revealed, Admiral is reminding motorists that as well as the dangers to themselves and other road users, committing a mobile phone offence can not only lead to six points on their license and a £200 fine, but their insurance premiums could rise by up to 95%, effectively meaning they could be paying nearly twice the price.
Analysis of Admiral motor insurance policies renewed over the last two years revealed that speeding remains the most common offence, with speeding on a public road and speeding on a motorway jointly accounting for 87% of offences notified. Failing to comply with traffic lights and using a mobile phone were the joint third most common offences, each accounting for 3% of convictions policyholders committed.
When it comes to motoring convictions, both men and women were guilty of the same top five offences, with speeding topping the bill for both sexes.
However, 3% of all motoring convictions by male policyholders were for using a mobile phone, compared to 2% of convictions from women.
At a national level, a police Freedom of Information request revealed that 81% of mobile phone offences were committed by men compared to 19% by women, making men more than 4 times as likely to be caught chatting on a phone at the wheel.
Analysing police and Admiral data regarding driver age reveals drivers in their 20s and 30s are the most likely culprits of using their phone at the wheel.
Of all mobile phone offences added to Admiral insurance policies in the last two years, 41% were for policyholders aged 20-29. Policyholders aged 30-39% accounted for 32% of mobile phone convictions, and those aged 40-49, 13%.
Analysis of police records shows a similar picture, with drivers aged 30-39 accounting for 33% of offences and drivers aged 20-29 accounting for 28% of offences, making these two age groups the most commonly caught using a phone at the wheel.
Of the 29 police forces who responded to Admiral’s Freedom of Information request, Police Scotland have recorded the highest number of offences for driving whilst using a mobile phone since the ban came into force last year, with nearly 3,000 offences recorded, accounting for 14% of all mobile offences across the UK. Thames Valley police also recorded in excess of 2,000 offences accounting for 10% of all those who responded, whilst Hampshire recorded 1,596 offences, 8% of the UK total.
Sabine Williams, Head of Motor at Admiral, said: “Claims statistics show that drivers who have been convicted of using their mobile phone whilst driving have a much higher risk of making a claim, and we take this into account when calculating their premium. Not only are they putting themselves and other drivers at risk, motorists who receive a conviction for driving whilst using their phone could see their insurance premiums increased by as much as 95%.
“Whilst speeding offences remain the most common conviction, using a mobile phone behind the wheel was the joint third most common motoring offence by policyholders in the last two years. Data from UK police forces shows that in excess of 20,000 motorists have been caught driving whilst using a mobile phone since the driving ban came into force, equivalent to just under 70 drivers every day.”
New analysis one year after new penalties were introduced reveals over 20,000 drivers caught using mobiles at the wheel
One year since the mobile phone penalty doubled, over 20,000 motorists have been caught – equivalent to nearly 70 a day1
Mobile phone convictions could increase insurance premiums by 95%
Admiral revealed 3% of all motoring convictions added to policies in last 2 years were for mobile phone related offences
Men are the biggest culprits when it comes to using a phone whilst driving, with nearly four times as many caught by police
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