A 21-year-old female driver is going to find it tough to get cheap motor insurance quotes following a series of motoring convictions.
Tara Whittaker, who is a single mother from Bolton, originally committed the offences on June 21st 2006. She had been driving through the town centre when she suddenly lost control and collided with a parked car.
Miss Whittaker then walked away from the scene, saying that she was going to get her car insurance details. However, she did not return and the passenger she had been carrying drove off in her car.
The police soon identified Miss Whittaker as the driver and she was charged with driving without motor insurance, driving without a licence and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.
At Bolton Magistrates' Court she explained why she was driving illegally, saying: "I just thought I would have a go. Everybody else seems to be doing it."
The magistrates banned her from driving for six months and ordered her to pay £125 in fines and costs.
Lee-Anne Bass, from the women's car insurance company CoverGirl Car Insurance Services, commented: "I'm quite shocked that this lady decided it was acceptable to drive without a licence or insurance because her friends were doing it.
"Let's hope that she learns from this experience. However, if she does decide to drive legally, she will certainly pay the price in increased motor insurance."