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Poor driving costing UK drivers £3.3 million in additional insurance premiums

Responsible drivers know the importance of obtaining the correct coverage for their vehicle, such as commercial van insurance by Staveley Head. However, sometimes even the best drivers are guilty of losing concentration – and this could potentially cost them or their business thousands of pounds.

Recent findings have revealed that every year, British drivers pay an additional £3.3 million in insurance premiums as a result of not paying attention behind the wheel. A recent study found that motor insurance costs jump by up to 27 per cent when the insured party has a conviction for driving without due care and attention.

If found guilty of driving without due care and attention, motorists face a £60 enforcement fine and three penalty points on their driving licence. Despite this punishment and the safety warnings about being mindful on the road, 16,485 drivers find themselves charged with this offence annually.

More than eight out of ten people admitted that their mind has wandered while in control of a vehicle. The biggest distraction was in-car entertainment, with almost two-thirds of drivers saying that changing radio stations or putting on a CD caused them to lose focus. Over half revealed that they had not paid attention properly while eating and drinking. And almost a quarter admitted that they had answered phone calls behind the wheel. As well as the obvious safety issues, vehicle insurance costs can rocket by as much as £200 when a driver has a driving without due care and attention endorsement added to their licence.

As well as the more common distractions while behind the wheel, commercial drivers seem to be putting themselves at risk by simply not cleaning their vehicle often enough.
A survey by Autoglass revealed that 33 per cent of van drivers and 34 per cent of truck drivers had admitted to between 11 and 30 near misses – all because their dashboard has been cluttered. Fast-food wrappers, cuddly toys, newspapers and coffee cups are the main culprits, with one in ten “white-van men” admitting to never throwing out their rubbish.

The message is simple – even if you’re lucky enough to avoid more serious consequences, driving without due care and attention is a financial burden that British drivers and businesses cannot afford to risk.

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