ABI survey - Get off the phone! Public back tougher action against dishonest motorists

ABI survey – Get off the phone! Public back tougher action against dishonest motorists

ABI survey – Get off the phone! Public back tougher action against dishonest motorists

Motorists who break the law by using a mobile phone while driving are the biggest menace on the UK’s roads, according to opinion research published today by the ABI. The public back insurers taking tougher action to expose dishonest motorists who conceal motoring offences, such as speeding and using a mobile phone while driving, to try to get cheaper motor insurance.

The survey of 2,000 motorists, conducted for the ABI by YouGov, highlights that:

. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of people think that drivers using mobile phones are most likely to cause an accident, followed by young male drivers (45%), and uninsured drivers (34%).
. Motorists back insurers taking tougher action to expose cheats who lie about or conceal information when taking out insurance. 72% would like insurers to be able to check driving licences for relevant motoring convictions or endorsements.

Commenting on the findings at the ABI’s annual motor conference today, Nick Starling, the ABI’s Director of General Insurance and Health, said:

“Honest motorists are fed up with drivers who lie and cheat to try to obtain cheaper insurance. We rely on people being honest, but those who conceal motoring offences not only push up the cost of insurance for everyone, but also run the risk of having any claim rejected. To protect honest customers, insurers are currently discussing with government whether they would be able to check for relevant motoring convictions and endorsements.”

Other findings from the survey show that:

. The main worry for women while driving is the risk of being involved in a staged accident, with a third citing it as their main concern. Male motorists worry most about having their car vandalised (30 percent).

. 30 percent of motorists think that they are most at risk of suffering a serious injury while on the road. 15 percent of women are worried about being injured as a passenger, compared to 7 percent of men.

. The cost of driving is the one thing that annoys motorists the most, with six out of ten motorists citing it, followed by traffic congestion (44 percent), and the condition of the roads (41 percent).

Notes
1.Enquiries to:
Jonathan French 020 7216 7392 (Mobile: 07958 330 480)
Malcolm Tarling 020 7216 7410 (Mobile: 07776 147 667)
Erfan Hussain 020 7216 7411 (Mobile: 07712 841 184)
Kelly Ostler-Coyle 020 7216 7415 (Mobile: 07968 364 302)

2. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from the ABI survey conducted by YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,144 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 17-19 November 2009. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

3. The ABI is the voice of the insurance and investment industry. Its members constitute over 90 per cent of the insurance market in the UK and 20 per cent across the EU. They control assets equivalent to a quarter of the UK’s capital. They are the risk managers of the UK’s economy and society. Through the ABI their voice is heard in Government and in public debate on insurance, savings and investment matters.

4. An ISDN line is available for broadcasts.

5. More news and information from the ABI is available on our web site, www.abi.org.uk