Car insurance news

Tayside drivers risking cheap car insurance and jobs by chatting on phone

Female motorists in Tayside are being warned that using hand-held mobile phones whilst driving could not only threaten their cheap car insurance, but also their job.

Police statistics from Perth have shown that 248 people were given a ticket for chatting on the phone whilst behind the wheel between February 27th 2006 and May 31st 2007.

The head of road policing for the area commented: "Although fewer motorists have been caught after harsher penalties were introduced in February, too many people are willing to risk being caught or, worse, increase their chances of having a collision.

"Some drivers are even risking their livelihoods, as ever more employers are taking responsibility over periodic checks of their employees' driving licences. Some drivers are now facing a possible disqualification due to the totting up of penalty points."

He went on to highlight the consequences of being disqualified from driving, saying "Without [a car], they may face the prospect of losing their job, which means less income, more stress levels and financial hardship."

He also revealed that motorists who drive using a hand-held mobile phone are more likely to risk a collision and a resulting motor insurance claim, citing research which shows reaction times are 30% slower than those of drink-drivers. Not only could an accident mean a loss of cheap car insurance in the future, but also it could cause serious injury to both the driver and other road users.

The road policing inspector finished: "We will not become complacent and our commitment to enforcement in this regard remains a long-term priority. Hopefully many drivers will think twice before answering or making a call."