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Insurers targeting speeders with steep rise in premiums
Article by: Darren Griffin
Date: 21 Mar 2012
First time speeders are finding that it's not just the fine that is hitting their wallets.
Insurers used to overlook the first speeding offence when calculating insurance premiums but attitudes have changed. The previously relaxed attitude to first time offenders has gone with many insurers now loading motor policies for first time speeding convictions.
This equates to an increase in premiums of 10% for drivers in their forties and rises to more than 20% for drivers in their twenties for a driver with three points on his or her licence. Drivers with more than nine points can expect their premiums to rise by more than half.
In many cases the premium increase can cost you far more than the actual fine. Insurers are basing these new costs on data that shows drivers with a poor driving record are more likely to make a claim than those who hold clean driving licences.
And if you're convicted of using a mobile phone whilst driving, the outlook is even bleaker. Premium increases of 60% are commonplace and some insurers will no longer automatically quote for a renewal.
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 Posted by sussamb on Wed Mar 21, 2012 9:06 am |
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Maybe that might help get the message through ... driving while speaking on a mobile phone is not only illegal but dangerous to both the person on the phone and to all the other drivers around him/her ... 
Where there's a will ... there's a way. |
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| Posted by G1LIW on Wed Mar 21, 2012 9:20 am |
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One can only hope, but somehow, I doubt it'll change much for a while yet - it's a very rare day when I fail to see someone driving while on the blower in South London.
Roger, G1LIW
Google Pixel 3a XL Android Smartphone | SatNav Sygic for Android | Waze for Android | CamerAlert for Android | Blog http://rogersblant.blogspot.com/ |
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| Posted by PaulB2005 on Wed Mar 21, 2012 9:37 am |
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Depends how well they advertise the increases.
If they don't tell drivers there's no deterant. Drivers then get punished after the fact and if they can't afford the insurance may run the risk of not bothering. Better to deter than punish.
Perhaps if the fines were massive too.....
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| Posted by Guivre46 on Wed Mar 21, 2012 10:24 am |
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Oh well, more uninsured drivers......
Mike R [aka Wyvern46]
Go 530T - unsupported
Go550 Live [not renewed]
Kia In-dash Tomtom |
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| Posted by G1LIW on Wed Mar 21, 2012 11:32 am |
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| Kremmen Wrote: | I can follow a vehicle for a short time and know from the standard of driving whether they are on a handheld mobile.
Their speed fluctuates about 10mph in steady traffic for no reason, they wander, they never indicate and they rarely keep up with the traffic flow.
60% insurance hike - Oh yes 
(assuming they have insurance in the first place) |
Regrettably, that's not enough to secure a conviction; it may be reasonable cause to suspect that the driver is on the phone, but it's not enough. You have to actually see the phone plastered to their ear. I can give you four other reasons why their driving may be that erratic, only two of which would be other offences. These others are:
- Driving while under the influence of drink or drugs (Criminal offence)
- Suffering from the onset of a medical condition, such as a diabetic attack (DVLA/DMG takes diabetic driving seriously, btw: It's a notifiable condition under the driving licence regulations),
- A very tired driver suffering from lack of sleep (Offences being Without due care and attention or maybe even dangerous driving), and
- Just being a rather rubbish driver (those exist, too, dammit)
So, with the above in mind, it's down to the boys in blue to crack down on the phone driving muppets properly, for a change. A Zero Tolerance assault on these gormless clowns would be a good start, IMHO.
Roger, G1LIW
Google Pixel 3a XL Android Smartphone | SatNav Sygic for Android | Waze for Android | CamerAlert for Android | Blog http://rogersblant.blogspot.com/ |
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| Posted by Kremmen on Wed Mar 21, 2012 12:26 pm |
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Yes - I forgot to finish off my observations with the statement :
..... and when I do eventually get past them they are indeed driving one handed and have a phone on their ear.
Plus:
If their drivers window is open then they get a blast of the horn just to let them know I'm passing, which must let the other party on the phone know that they are driving.
Satnav:
Garmin 2599 LMT-D (Indoor test rig)
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3
Car Average MPG :
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| Posted by Andy_P on Wed Mar 21, 2012 1:21 pm |
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| G1LIW Wrote: | | I can give you four other reasons why their driving may be that erratic, only two of which would be other offences. These others are:... |
What a boring list! I can think of at least one or two more that are a lot more pleasurable for the driver! 
| G1LIW Wrote: | | it's down to the boys in blue to crack down on the phone driving muppets properly, for a change. A Zero Tolerance assault on these gormless clowns would be a good start, IMHO. |
Is that the same boys in blue who used to use hand-held radios while driving? Or coach drivers who used to give running commentaries?
Were they gormless clowns then? No, we've just changed our thinking (and the law).
Like any other activity, it's not just DOING it that's the problem, it's doing it badly.
"Settling in nicely" ;-) |
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| Posted by sussamb on Wed Mar 21, 2012 1:55 pm |
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Problem is that most people doing it ARE doing it badly 
Where there's a will ... there's a way. |
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| Posted by Andy_P on Wed Mar 21, 2012 2:47 pm |
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True enough!
But as others have said, you could already prosecute for driving without due care and attention.
"Settling in nicely" ;-) |
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