New data from the DVLA has identified the five worst driving offences as experts call on motorists to ensure they are safe when travelling across the UK.
Road safety experts warned that drivers are flouting the rules more often than ever despite the potential punishments on offer if they are caught.
Information from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) revealed that speeding is the most common driving offence so far this year.
In total, 255,028 drivers have been punished for speeding on a public road, while 70,639 people were caught speeding on a motorway – making speeding the worst and second-worst offence year-to-date.
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Thousands of motoring were fined for using their phones at the wheel
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Driving without suitable insurance is the third most common motoring offence in the UK, with almost 22,000 drivers being caught.
This is despite it being a legal requirement to be insured on the road regardless of what vehicle they drive.
Britons must have motor insurance for their vehicle if they use it on roads or in public places, although it does not need to be insured if it is kept off the road and declared SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification).
Motorists who are caught without valid insurance could be slapped with a £100 fine and have their vehicle wheel-clamped, impounded or destroyed.
In serious cases, they could be taken to court where they could be fined a maximum of £1,000. They must also pay for their insurance on top of any fines.
More than 17,100 British drivers have been caught flouting the DR10 rule – or driving or attempting to drive while they have an alcohol level above the legal limit.
In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, the legal limit is 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath, while Scotland has a far lower level of 22 micrograms.
These are some of the highest drunk driving maximum levels in Europe, prompting the British Medical Association to recently demand lower limits to boost road safety.
The fifth most common driving offence was “breach of requirements as to control of the vehicle” – which sees motorists fined for not paying to the road ahead of them and instead using their phones.
Rules were tightened in March 2022 meaning that drivers could be slapped with a minimum penalty of £200 and six penalty points on their licence if they are found to be breaking the rules.
In the text of the rule changes, it was outlined that “using” a mobile phone now includes illuminating the screen, checking the time, making or receiving calls, sending voice notes, accessing an app or taking a picture or video.
The data found that 10,932 people have been caught using their mobile phones at the wheel between January 1 and July 9.
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Experts are calling on drivers to ensure they are not being fined unnecessarily for not having insurance
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Darryl Bowman from Cuvva said: “Why take the risk and drive uninsured, when you can get a temporary car insurance policy for as little as an hour for a couple of quid?
“It beats landing up with a £5,000 fine or losing your licence altogether.”
