One in six British drivers admit driving uninsured

A new survey reveals that one in six drivers in Britain have driven without insurance. The poll, which included 2,000 adults, showed that 24 percent of them drove uninsured on short trips, thinking insurance wasn’t necessary for such journeys. Some drivers were unaware they were breaking the law. A fifth admitted their policy had expired without them realizing it. Meanwhile, 17 percent chose to drive uninsured to save money, and 15 percent procrastinated on renewing their insurance. Learner drivers are especially at risk. They are twice as likely to be uninsured when compared to licensed drivers, with 37 percent admitting to driving without coverage. Many learners do not know that they need valid insurance, even while practicing with a qualified driver. The study found that 29 percent of these learners mistakenly believed they could practice in car parks without insurance. Additionally, 27 percent thought it was acceptable to drive in cul-de-sacs without coverage. Almost half of all uninsured drivers had driven without insurance in the last two years. About 23 percent said it had been more than ten years since their last offence. Many seemed unaware of temporary insurance options, with 22 percent stating they didn’t know these were available. After being informed by friends or family, 32 percent of uninsured drivers took action to get insurance. Others acted after being stopped by police. Experts emphasize the importance of understanding insurance requirements, especially for new drivers.