600 per cent increase in motorists caught driving carelessly in the past decade

• In 2022, 42,700 fixed penalty notices were issued, a 589 per cent increase from the 6,300 drivers punished in 2012
• England and Wales have seen a 37 per cent rise in motoring offences with more than 31.6 million penalties issued, including over 10 million fixed penalty notices
• Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Warwickshire saw the biggest rises in penalties
• Speeding, the neglect of traffic signs or pedestrian rights, and license or insurance errors are the most common offences

An analysis of Home Office Data conducted by Churchill Motor Insurance¹ has a revealed a 589 per cent increase in the number of drivers punished for careless driving over the last ten years in England and Wales. In 2022, 42,700 motorists received a fixed penalty notice (FPN), attended driver retraining, or appeared in court for careless driving, a substantial increase from the 6,300 drivers punished in 2012.

Careless driving occurs when driving falls below the minimum standard expected of a competent and careful motorist and without reasonable consideration for other road users². Examples of careless driving include overtaking on the inside, driving through a red light by mistake, and dazzling other drivers with un-dipped headlights.

The total number of penalties issued for all motoring offences in England and Wales increased by 37 per cent between 2012 and 2022. In 2012, 2.3 million penalties were handed to drivers for motoring offences, increasing to 3.59 million in 2022. Across England and Wales, Warwickshire (374 per cent), Devon and Cornwall (454 per cent), and Gloucestershire (282 per cent) saw the largest rises in motoring penalties.

Overall, more than 31.5 million penalties have been issued in the last ten years, including 10 million fixed penalty notices, The most common offence was speeding, with 22.2 million drivers caught. Other common offences include the neglect of traffic signs or pedestrian rights (1.1 million penalties), and license or insurance errors (one million penalties). Over 540,000 drivers were penalised for seat belt offences.

Nicholas Mantel, Head of Churchill motor insurance, said: “Our research highlights the monumental changes we’ve seen in road safety over the past decade. With more and more drivers on the roads than ever before, driving standards must get better if we’re to improve the safety of all road users. Millions of motorists are still driving over the speed limit, not wearing a seatbelt, or neglecting to read traffic signs. These things can be easily avoided with a few simple adjustments to your driving habits and may also help to avoid being issued with a penalty and or fine.”

Table One: Penalties for motoring offences by region³

Source: Churchill Motor insurance

 ENDS

Notes to Editor

1.      Analysis of Home Office Data (2022) from Churchill Insurance. This data is the most recent available and was published in January 2024.

2.      https://www.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/driving-offences/

For further information please contact:

Hayley Saunders

Churchill PR Manager

Email: hayley.saunders@directlinegroup.co.uk

Churchill

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. 

Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.