Areas you are more likely to find uninsured drivers

Young male drivers are most likely to have a conviction for driving without insurance but we all knew that anyway.  With insurance for newly qualified drivers so high this could be the main reason that young male drivers under 25 are most likely to flout the law and drive a vehicle uninsured. Insurance for drivers under the age of 25 can be as high as £3,000 and though it is no excuse, this is the main reason most choose to drive with no insurance. The more uninsured drivers there are on the road then the higher insurance premiums go up for those who do pay. It is estimated that drivers pay an additional £30 a year because of those who drive without valid insurance.

The UK has the worst uninsured driving record for Eastern Europe costing the insurance industry £500 million in claims each year. Due to the high numbers of young people under 25 driving without insurance, the Motor Insurers' Bureau has launched a ‘Stay Insured' campaign encouraging young drivers to get car insurance. Car insurance not only covers you but also any other people out there who may not have insurance so in the case of a claim you both lose out and you can also lose your car as well. Is it really worth the risk?

Worst hot spots for uninsured drivers

1. Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire 22 - 25 Male
2. Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire 22 - 25 Male
3. Glasgow 22 - 25 Male
4. Manchester 31 - 40 Male
5. Galston, Ayrshire 17 - 21 Male 
6. Hackney, London 51 + Male
7. Nechells, Birmingham 51 + Male
8. Dunstable, Bedfordshire 22 - 25 Female
9. Leominster 22 - 25 Male
10. Notting Hill, London 31 - 40

And here are some statistics:

• The Scottish town of Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire is number one, where a quarter of men in their 20's have a conviction for driving without insurance.
• In second place is Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire where 24% of young male drivers have a conviction.
• Third place we have Glasgow with 20% of young drivers driving without insurance.
• Upmarket Notting Hill in London is also a hotspot for uninsured drivers with most offenders being over 31.
• Bedfordshire is the only place where an uninsured driver was most likely to be female.

Drivers caught driving without insurance face a £200 on the spot fine and six points on their licence. If the car is also impounded then the costs rise to £150 for paying a collection charge and an extra £20 a day is charged for keeping it on storage.

To add to all the insurance woes, it has been found that comprehensive insurance rose as much as 19% last year and the premiums will only rise further for 2010. Like mentioned above men under 25 are most likely to be boy racers and law breakers when it comes to driving without insurance.