Learner drivers passed their practical tests at the highest rate ever recorded during the pandemic, according to new figures released by the Department for Transport.
The data, which spans April 2020 to March 2021, shows that 49.8% of learners passed the test, up by 3.9% on 2019-20 figures.
There was more good news for learners taking theory tests, with 55.7% passing, the highest rate since 2013-14 and 8.6% higher than the previous year.
While many learners celebrated receiving their full driving licences, others were unable to take their practical car tests due to the pandemic, with 72.7% fewer practical tests taking place in 2020-21 compared to the previous year. Car theory tests were down by more than 50%.
Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk comments: “Congratulations to all those who passed, just goes to show, practice really does make perfect as shown by the outstanding results.
“Many learners took advantage of less traffic on the roads to get out there and clock up more miles behind the wheel during the pandemic, plus increased time at home was the ideal opportunity to hit the books and study for the theory test.”
However, Wilson points out that after all their hard work there is now another challenge: “Newly qualified drivers often have trouble finding competitively priced insurance because they represent a higher insurance risk than seasoned motorists, and this is particularly true if the new driver also happens to be a young driver.
“That’s why we recommend newly qualified drivers use Quotezone.co.uk’s car insurance comparison service to shop around for better deals, by comparing quotes from a wide range of different providers side-by-side these motorists stand a better chance of finding a cheaper quote.
“Of course, there are additional steps newly qualified drivers can take to increase their odds of finding cheaper insurance too. For instance, it might be worth considering telematics insurance, which is often cheaper than a standard car insurance policy and opting for a car with a smaller engine and parking the vehicle in a safer location like a driveway or garage can also bring premiums down.”
Highways England has drafted updated guidance for The Highway Code with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to help road users better understand how motorways and high-speed roads operate.
More than 3,200 people and organisations responded to a consultation on the guidance, with their comments directly leading to it being amended and improved. The amendments are expected to become part of The Highway Code later this year.
The update will include:
clearer advice on where to stop in an emergency
the importance of not driving in a lane closed by a Red X
the use of variable speed limits to manage congestion
updated guidance on key factors that contribute to safety-related incidents, including driving while tired, unroadworthy vehicles, safe towing, tailgating and driving in roadworks
Jeremy Phillips, Highways England’s Head of Road Safety, said: “The updates to The Highway Code will help everyone who uses our busiest roads.
“Thanks to the input from road users, we have been able to produce clearer guidance on how to use our motorways and major A-roads which will make journeys even safer.
“The new edition of The Highway Code can give everyone on our roads the confidence that they have the knowledge and skills to safely get from A to B.”
Among the updates to The Highway Code are clearer advice on how and where to stop in an emergency, including the importance of not driving in a lane that has been closed with a Red X sign displayed and, for the first time, emergency area signage. It includes the “Go left” messaging used in Highways England’s recent £5m advertising campaign to help people know what to do in the event of a breakdown.
There is new guidance on the use of variable speed limits to manage congestion and information on how safety cameras are used to ensure compliance with speed limits and lanes closed with a Red X, including the hard shoulder.
The improved guidance also addresses key factors that contribute to safety-related incidents, including driving while tired, unroadworthy vehicles, safe towing, tailgating and driving through roadworks.
In total, 33 existing rules will be amended and two new rules will be introduced. There will also be a number of amendments made to the additional information within The Highway Code and its annexes.
Highways England has provided the amendments to The Highway Code as part of its commitment to provide clearer information for road users to further improve safety across England’s major routes.
It is vital that all road users are aware of The Highway Code, are considerate to other road users and understand their responsibility for their own safety and that of others.
· 30 new Renault ZOE available in Enterprise Rent-A-Car branches in Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow, Aberdeen
· Supporting local communities’ and businesses’ transition to shared low- and zero-emission motoring
· Part of a wider investment including electric vans and hydrogen vehicles
Enterprise Rent-A-Car has unveiled 30 new electric Renault ZOE as part of its rental fleet in Scotland. They will offer more zero-emission transport options for businesses and local residents needing to drive as Scotland emerges from lockdown.
The vehicles will be located at Enterprise Rent-A-Car branches in Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. They are part of the company’s wider investment in offering sustainable motoring options in Scotland and across the UK.
Enterprise already offers a range of low emission vehicles and is rolling out a number of fully electric vans and working with Toyota to trial hydrogen cars with selected corporate customers.
Police Scotland is one of a number of organisations that is renting the new Enterprise Renault ZOE fleet. The Renault ZOE is a fully electric vehicle, with a 52-kWh capacity with up to 245 miles of range.
Enterprise is seeing growing support for its electric vehicle fleet, both rental and car club, across the UK. An analysis of user data shows that while the majority of renters drive fewer than 50 miles when they use an electric vehicle, many are regular users and happy to drive an electric car for 100 miles or more per day.
“We see rental as a way of facilitating change because it enables people to try out zero-emission electric vehicles for a short period of time,” saidDiane Mulholland, General Manager for Enterprise Scotland.
“We will be using our new ZOE fleet to ensure our employees are familiar with EV technology and act as experts to help customers understand the benefits of these vehicles and overcome any concerns they may have.
“We are planning to encourage all our customers to try EVs. That means replacement customers who get a car from their insurance company when their vehicle is being repaired will have an EV option, as well as our business and leisure customers as lockdown eases.”
Enterprise is committed to the continued expansion of its fleet of fully electric vehicles in Scotland and in all other markets in which it operates. These vehicles will play a role in supporting Scotland’s move towards more sustainable transport, use of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) and introduction of Low Emission Zones in four cities, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow next year.
In order to ensure employee and customer safety, Enterprise introduced its Complete Clean Pledge in 2020, which is an industry leading initiative that demonstrates the company’s commitment to excellent customer service and maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness.
The CCP further enhanced how all Enterprise vehicles are thoroughly cleaned between each rental. This includes washing, vacuuming, general wipe down, and sanitising with a disinfectant that meets leading health authority requirements, with particular attention to more than 20 high-touch points.
Ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) registrations shot-up by 125% during 2020 compared to the year before, according to new figures from the Department for Transport.
There was more good news for ULEV manufacturers, with registrations speeding-up over the course of year, which helped put 179,000 registered cars on the road by the end of 2020.
After ULEVs, alternative fuel cars enjoyed 87% growth, with 338,000 vehicles being registered for the first time. Hybrid Electrics also proved popular as did Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) with 164,000 and 107,000 new registrations respectively. Tesla’s BEV Model 3 was the best-selling green car with over 22,000.
The growing popularity of greener cars was in contrast with the total vehicle registrations dropping 27% in 2020 compared to 2019. Diesel vehicles were particularly badly hit, down 51.
Britain’s favourite motor, the Ford Fiesta, shelved diesel altogether last year, although 47,600 new petrol versions were sold as the company introduced emission cutting technology.
With car showrooms closed for large parts of the year, the industry found new ways to fight back, with the introduction of click and collect technology to boost lockdown sales.
Greg Wilson, Founder of motoring and electric car insurance comparison website Quotezone.co.uk comments: “The car industry has had significant challenges, suffering dampened sales last year with lockdown closing showrooms, logistical complications with travel restrictions and the looming economic uncertainty making customers hesitant.
“The good news is restrictions are being lifted and there is plenty of enthusiasm for greener cars which made-up a remarkable number of new registrations in 2020.
“A growing number of high-end electric vehicles are rolling off the production line now, and high-end motors almost always cost more to insure. In addition, the spare parts for some types of electric vehicles can be harder to source at present, and mechanics that specialise in electric vehicles can be harder to find, two factors that insurers may well factor into their premiums for electric car insurance.
“Still, as electric cars become more mainstream and a growing number of insurance providers enter the electric car insurance market, we expect the average cost of insuring electric cars to fall steadily – both for consumers who are keen to invest in a more environmentally friendly motor for their family, and for businesses who decide to invest in a more sustainable ‘green fleet’.”
… despite more than half admitting to breaking the 70mph limit
= Drivers prefer average speed cameras to fixed position ones
= 36% don’t stick to 20mph-limits
More than half of drivers (56%) admit to breaking the speed limit on motorways with a third (34%) of those confessing to having travelled at speeds in excess of 80mph, research from an RAC reveals.
Three per cent say their fastest speed on a motorway was over 100mph while 4% believe their top speed was 91-100mph. While the vast majority – two-thirds (66%) – state their highest speed on a motorway was 71-80mph, a quarter (27%) claim to have driven at 81-90mph.
When asked why they broke the speed limit on a motorway, most drivers (39%) said they were simply following the example set by other motorists, although three-in-10 (31%) say it was because they thought it was safe to travel faster than 70mph.
Other common reasons for speeding on a motorway were: nothing else being on the road (28%); the speed limit being inappropriate (27%) and feeling pressure from other drivers behind (26%).
In terms of what form of speed enforcement drivers think is best for ensuring speed limit compliance on high speed roads where the speed limit is 60mph and 70mph, 58% of the 3,000-plus motorists surveyed for the RAC Report on Motoring said they favoured ‘average speed cameras’ which measure speeds between cameras rather than at a single, fixed location like traditional speed cameras.
Nearly a fifth (18%) felt fixed position cameras are most effective while 12% said it was mobile speed traps, with a similar proportion not offering an opinion.
While average speed cameras are used on a number of A-roads, on motorways they are currently only used in sections of roadworks. More than half of drivers (54%), however, said they would like to see them used in general motorway conditions enforcing the 70mph-limit. Only a quarter (26%) disagreed with this idea, with 18% unsure.
Average speed cameras were also preferred by the majority of drivers for use on 40-50mph limit roads with 46% saying this, compared to 29% for fixed position cameras. On 20-30mph limit roads however, fixed position cameras came out top with 43% of drivers saying they were best and a quarter (25%) opting for average speed cameras, only just ahead of police officers operating mobile speed traps (21%).
While compliance on roads with lower speed limits is far better than the 54% who admit to exceeding the 70mph-limit, an alarming four-in-10 (39%) still admit to frequently disobeying 20mph limits. This rises to a third (33%) on 60mph country roads – statistically some of our least safe roads – and to 36% on 30mph urban roads.
Very worryingly, 11% of limit-breakers claim to have driven above 40mph in a 30mph zone while 10% have exceeded 30mph in a 20mph zone. In the case of the latter, 45% of those who speed at least occasionally say this is because they believe the limit is ‘inappropriate’ for the area or stretch of road in question.
RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: “Despite more than half of drivers admitting to regularly exceeding the 70-mph speed limit, road safety statistics clearly show that motorways are our safest roads.
“With so many motorists admitting to driving much faster than they should on the motorway, it was interesting to see such strong support for average speed cameras to be used more widely to enforce the 70-mph limit as opposed to just in roadworks, as is currently the case.
“We believe drivers see these cameras as being very effective at reducing speeds over longer distances and controlling traffic flow as well as being fairer than fixed position ones as they aren’t instantly punished for a momentary transgression.
“Our research shows speed limit compliance on all types of road has improved on previous years, but as our study was carried out during the pandemic we suspect this has partly been brought about by the reduction in the number of journeys carried out for the purposes of commuting – or for other business purposes – where drivers feel greater time pressure and may be more tempted to break the law by speeding.”
One third of all learner drivers are over 30 years of age
Scotland is a silver-haired centre for learner drivers, according to new figures from a leading car insurance comparison website.
Quotezone.co.uk’s data reveals over 3% of all Scottish learner drivers would qualify for a pension, which is double the rate for most other UK regions barring the North East, which topped the stats with 3.8% of its learners aged 66 or over.
And Scotland’s learner drivers are in no hurry to pass their test, with over three-quarters having received their provisional licences more than five years ago and 34% for over 10 years.
The general picture of learners being young still rings true, with 60% of learner drivers across the country being aged between 16 and 25. It is common to find learners in their 40s – 8.7% of all learners – and even their 50s – 3.8%.
The advancing years have also not held back more than 100 septuagenarians and octogenarians who retain an interest in passing their driving tests.
Quotezone.co.uk says demand for its learner premiums has rocketed 42% from 2019 to 2020.
The data was sourced from Quotezone.co.uk’s 2020 records covering a sample of 50,000 provisional drivers across the UK, with 15,000 over 30 years of age. North East learners surveyed numbered 1,790 drivers and 600 were over 30.
Greg Wilson, Quotezone.co.uk’s Founder, comments: “School leavers or young professionals often come to mind as the typical learner driver. Our findings tell a more multifaceted story though, showing many people hold back on getting their full driving licence until they’re well into their 20s and beyond.
“Scotland is not unusual in having a notable number of more mature drivers looking to pass their test, but it stands out for budding motorists being of pension age.
“There’s going to be lots of reasons why people hold off on learning to drive. Cost could be one answer, with the price of lessons and buying a car putting some provisional drivers off. But when it comes to insurance you shouldn’t have to pay over the odds even if you are a learner. I would say dust off your provisional licence and shop around for the best deal by using a comparison website to compare quotes.
“We’ve seen a big rise in learners looking into policies in 2020. Perhaps safety concerns using public transport have played a part in this surge, with many services reduced, and commuters are returning to the idea of having a car.
“With lessons and tests returning and an economic bounce back looking promising, we expect more provisional licence holders to actively pursue their full licence this year.”
92,000 motorists are at risk of losing their driving licence with just one more motoring offence resulting in a ban, a Freedom of Information request to DVLA by IAM RoadSmart has revealed.
There are some 92,000 drivers currently with 9, 10 or 11 points on their licence who face the real risk of losing their licence with another 3 points pushing them on or over the 12-point ban threshold.
This could be through everyday driving habits, ignorance or judgement errors – such as speeding, overtaking on a double white line, parking in a dangerous place, not stopping at a school crossing, carrying too many passengers or overloading the vehicle.
Many drivers may also be unaware that a lack of basic vehicle maintenance could also land you with points – such as defective tyres, blown headlight or brake light bulbs, cracked light covers, smeary windscreen wipers or worn suspension components.
Specifically, at present there are 80,484 motorists in the UK with 9 points on their licence, 7,804 with 10 points and 4,313 with 11 points.
Meanwhile, there are nearly 8,800 motorists still driving with 12 points or more on their driving licence, with IAM RoadSmart once again renewing its call for a full review to ensure that drivers with multiple points are always treated in the same way. Until these anomalies are removed confidence in the simple “12 points and you are out” system will continue to be undermined.
Reasons that these drivers can keep their licence include exceptional hardship, such as loss of employment.
Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy & Research, said: “The number of motorists still driving on UK roads with more than 12 points, or just under the driving ban threshold, is alarming.
“It is also an opportune occasion to educate motorists on some motoring laws that they might be unaware can result in licence points, so that motorists can change their driving habits and carry out regular basic checks of their vehicle to help make the roads safer for all users.”
Further data revealed by IAM RoadSmart’s Freedom of Information request also highlighted the postcode areas with the highest number of drivers with penalty points. These include Birmingham with 74,397, Sheffield with 56,876 and Nottingham with 56,245.
Top 10 most common driving offences which result in points:
Speed limits
SP30 – Exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road – 3 to 6 points
SP50 – Exceeding speed limit on a motorway – 3 to 6 points
Insurance offences
IN10 – Using a vehicle uninsured against third party risks – 6 to 8 points
Construction and use offences
CU80 – Breach of requirements as to control of the vehicle, such as using a mobile phone – 3 to 6 points
Traffic direction and signs
TS10 – Failing to comply with traffic light signals – 3 points
Miscellaneous offences
MS90 – Failure to give information as to identity of driver – 6 points
Licence offences
LC20 – Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence – 3 to 6 points
Construction and use offences
CU30 – Using a vehicle with defective tyre(s) – 3 points
Careless driving
CD30 – Driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other road users – 3 to 9 points
CU50 Causing or likely to cause danger by reason of load or passengers – 3
New drivers should take extra care as they can amass points very quickly in their first two years of driving. This rule came into force on 1st June 1997. Anyone of any age passing their first driving test is ‘on probation’ for two years.
A total of six or more penalty points during that time will mean they have to go back to learner status, apply for a new provisional licence and take the test again.
For advice on driving and motorcycle riding best practice, including details of IAM RoadSmart’s training courses on effective speed management and practical tips on vehicle checks, visit www.iamroadsmart.com.
Motorists could see self-driving vehicles on British roads for the first time later this year, the Department for Transport has announced today.
Following a landmark call for evidence, the government has set out how vehicles fitted with Automated Lane Keeping System (ALKS) technology could legally be defined as self-driving, as long as they receive GB type approval and that there is no evidence to challenge the vehicle’s ability to self-drive.
Designed for use on a motorway in slow traffic, ALKS enables a vehicle to drive itself in a single lane, while maintaining the ability to easily and safely return control to the driver when required.
The technology could improve road safety by reducing human error, which contributes to over 85% of accidents. The driver will be able to hand control over to the vehicle, which will constantly monitor speed and keep a safe distance from other cars.
Today’s announcement comes as a consultation on The Highway Code rules is launched to ensure the first wave of this technology is used safely and responsibly. This consultation will conclude on 28 May 2021.
Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said: “This is a major step for the safe use of self-driving vehicles in the UK, making future journeys greener, easier and more reliable while also helping the nation to build back better.
“But we must ensure that this exciting new tech is deployed safely, which is why we are consulting on what the rules to enable this should look like. In doing so, we can improve transport for all, securing the UK’s place as a global science superpower.”
The UK Government says self-driving technology in cars, buses and delivery vehicles could spark the beginning of the end of urban congestion, with traffic lights and vehicles speaking to each other to keep traffic flowing, reducing emissions and improving air quality in our towns and cities.
Not only are automated vehicles expected to improve road safety, the technology could also improve access to transport for people with mobility issues and lead to more reliable public transport services, helping to level-up access to transport in historically disconnected and rural areas.
As we ‘build back better’, connected and autonomous vehicle technology could create around 38,000 new jobs in a UK industry that could be worth £42 billion by 2035. Over 80% of these jobs are expected to be in professional, technical and skilled trade occupations.
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, said: “The automotive industry welcomes this vital step to permit the use of automated vehicles on UK roads, which will put Britain in the vanguard of road safety and automotive technology.
“Automated driving systems could prevent 47,000 serious accidents and save 3,900 lives over the next decade through their ability to reduce the single largest cause of road accidents – human error.
“Technologies such as Automated Lane Keeping Systems will pave the way for higher levels of automation in future – and these advances will unleash Britain’s potential to be a world leader in the development and use of these technologies, creating essential jobs while ensuring our roads remain among the safest on the planet.”
The UK is already a world leader in connected and self-driving vehicle innovation, and British companies are working on and developing the next generations of automated vehicles.
Scottish drivers are experiencing some of the biggest price drops since 2014, when the cost of insurance fell by 17% in the Scottish Borders
Drivers in Central Scotland are seeing biggest monetary savings year-on-year, as prices drop by £80 (15%), taking the average premium to £456.
The overall cost of insurance in Scotland has fallen by £72 (15%) year-on-year – with the average premium standing at £416.
Motorists in the UK can now expect to pay £538 for their car insurance, on average, after an £87 (14%) fall in prices year-on-year.
Shopping around proven to save drivers money, as further research of UK drivers finds almost half (45%) of those who received their renewal in the past quarter (Q1 2021) saw their price increase by £45, on average (1).
Drivers in Scotland are seeing some of the biggest drops in car insurance costs in almost seven years, new data reveals.
The average cost of car insurance in the Scottish Highlands and Islands dropped by £72 (16%), the highest percentage decrease in 12 months, meaning drivers in the region can now expect to pay £374, on average.
The last time car insurance prices in Scotland fell by this much was in 2014, when drivers in the Scottish Borders saw car insurance premiums drop by 17%, on average.
That’s according to the latest car insurance price index by Confused.com (Q1 2021), powered by Willis Towers Watson. Based on more than six million quotes per quarter, it’s the most comprehensive new business price index in the UK.
According to the data, motorists in all Scottish regions have seen a drop in their car insurance costs when shopping around.
In particular, Central Scotland saw big year-on-year price drops, as the average premium fell by £80 (15%), to £456.
Meanwhile, those in the East and North-East of Scotland have seen a saving of £60 (13%), making the average premium stand at £387. And drivers in the Scottish Borders can save up to £62 (15%), as the average cost for car insurance has dropped to £352.
Overall, the average cost of car insurance in Scotland dropped by £72 (15%) in 12 months, following a turbulent year which has sparked significant changes in driving habits. This means the average cost of car insurance in Scotland as a whole is now £416 on average.
Throughout this past year, prices have been steadily declining, as drivers spend less time on the road. As a result, prices in Scotland have decreased by £23 (6%) in the last three months alone (Q4 2020- Q1 2021), as insurers adapt their pricing to reflect the current level of risk on the roads.
Looking at the rest of the UK, similar savings are being seen, as motorists can now expect to pay £538 for their car insurance, after a price drop of £87 (14%) in the last 12 months, on average.
However, Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com, explains that not all drivers will see these savings. While those shopping around and buying a new car insurance policy will have saved as much as £87, further research of UK drivers found that almost half (45%) of drivers who received their renewal in the past three months saw their price increase by £45, on average. This suggests they could be paying more by opting to renew with their current insurer.
In fact, of the drivers who saw their renewal price increase this past quarter, almost half chose to stay with their current insurer, despite their price being more expensive.
Of those who did stay with their insurer, one in 10 (11%) claim their insurer automatically renewed the policy on their behalf. And it’s this practice which makes it difficult for motorists to opt out of their policy and find a better deal.
This is something that is being investigated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is looking into changes that will make it easier for customers to cancel their policy and benefit from the price savings being reported for new policies.
The FCA’s proposal won’t just make it easier to cancel auto-renewals, it is also set to prohibit insurers from calculating a price based on whether someone is a new customer or a renewing their policy.
However, this does not mean that renewal prices will stay the same or decrease, as they could still increase year-on-year. The FCA has been clear that shopping around will still give customers opportunities to save.
While all drivers in Scotland have been able to benefit from savings on their car insurance policy, some regions have seen greater savings than others.
In Central Scotland, it’s drivers in Glasgow that have experienced the greatest price cuts, with the average premium standing at £502 after an annual drop of £93 (16%). However, motorists in Kilmarnock are making the greatest quarterly savings, as prices drop by £29 (7%). Drivers in this region are also paying out the least for their insurance, as the average premium costs £396.
Motorists in Dumfries in the Scottish Borders are also seeing great savings, as the average premium has fallen to £351 after a price drop of £67 (16%) compared to 12 months ago. Prices have also gone down by £26 (7%) in the last three months, as drivers in the area benefit from the cheapest insurance prices in the region.
Meanwhile, drivers in Kirkcaldy in the East and North East can expect to save £65 (15%) year-on-year. They are also seeing the biggest quarterly savings, after prices have fallen by £28 (7%), taking the average premium to £377 – the lowest premium in the region.
In the Highlands and Islands, drivers in Paisley have seen the biggest annual savings, as prices fall by £86 (17%). Yet, it’s motorists in Shetland that have experienced the greatest quarterly savings, as the cost of insurance drops by £44 (11%), taking the average premium to £358. However, Kirkwall motorists are paying out the least for their insurance, with the average premium standing at £317.
The price drops are good news for both genders also. Females in the Scottish Borders are paying the least for their insurance, following a £59 (15%) drop in prices year-on year and a reduction of £19 (5%) in the last quarter – taking the average premium to £334.
Males in the Scottish Borders are also paying the least for their insurance, as prices dropped by £63 (15%) in the last 12 months and by £25 (6%) in the last three months, with the average premium ringing in at £363.
Meanwhile, both male and female motorists are making the greatest savings in the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Year-on-year, females have saved £67 (16%), and males have seen savings of £74 (16%), on average. The biggest quarterly savings can be found in this region also, as females can see price drops of £27 (7%), while males can see price cuts of £29 (7%), with average premiums standing at £348 and £390, respectively.
And, in a similar trend to the last quarter, all age groups across all Scottish regions are making savings on their car insurance both year-on-year and quarterly.
However, while it was younger drivers that were able to see big savings three months ago, now it’s older drivers who are faring the best.
Those aged over 71 can expect to make big savings, as males in the Highlands and Islands are seeing cuts of £77 (19%) year-on year, taking the average premium to £322, while females in the region can save £67 (18%), with average insurance premiums standing at £293.
In Central Scotland, females over the age of 71 are set to save £68 (17%) since 12 months ago, while males in the area can make savings of £74 (17%). Prices for this age group have also fallen in the East and North East, with males saving £65 (16%) and females saving £44 (13%), on average. Drivers aged over 71 who live in the Scottish Borders are seeing reductions of 17%, with females saving £60 and males £66 year-on-year.
But the youngest category of drivers is also benefitting from price cuts, as those aged 17-20 saved 11% in the Highlands and Islands, with prices dropping by £142 for males and £109 for females in the last 12 months.
In Central Scotland, females aged 17-20 can look to save £108 (9%), with males set to save £99 (7%). Equally, in the East and North East of Scotland, females in this age range can save up to £95 (10%), while male drivers are making savings of £142 (10%) in the last 12 months.
However, while the price of car insurance is decreasing, some motoring costs are in fact starting to creep up as the UK eases out of lockdown. In fact, Confused.com’s fuel price index suggests that petrol and diesel prices have been on the up since the end of last year.
According to the data, drivers can now expect to pay 124p for petrol, on average. This is 11p more than December 2020. Meanwhile, diesel prices have increased from 118p to 127p in the same period. With these costs increasing, drivers will no doubt be looking to make savings where they can, starting with their car insurance.
Louise O’Shea CEO at Confused.com, says: “It’s been just over a year since we went into lockdown for the first time and this triggered a lot of changes in how we’re using our cars. And this is a change that could be here to stay for the foreseeable future, so it only seems right that our car insurance costs are cheaper to reflect this.
“What we are seeing is the biggest drop in prices in Scotland in almost seven years. But it’s important to remember that these lower prices are only benefiting those who shop around. It’s clear from our research that automatically renewing could in fact cost you more money.
“Loyalty clearly doesn’t pay! But if the increase is small, or you are fortunate to see your renewal price drop, please don’t settle for this as there will be an insurer out there willing to offer a better price. At Confused.com we’re so certain of this that we’re offering to beat your renewal quote or give you the difference, plus £20”
A new web poll on smart motorways from independent road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has revealed that the majority of respondents (85 per cent) want a halt on their construction until the safety case is fully proven.
Furthermore, 84 per cent of the 4,500 respondents surveyed had little faith in the current safety systems’ abilities to detect them if they were to breakdown in a running lane and protect them until help arrived.
Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy & Research, said: “Our members include many high mileage, experienced and confident motorway users but the results of this survey are clear to see, with the vast majority having very little, or no confidence, in the safety of smart motorways.
“We would urge the Department for Transport and Highways England to listen to what smart motorway users are saying and to consider our findings, along with other in-depth research, to determine the best approach to developing the smart motorway network. Delaying decisions on smart motorways will only lead to more drivers getting stressed.
“Alongside more education for drivers, IAM RoadSmart wants to see strong leadership with clear decisions taken soon on whether the programme should be reversed, or provided with the appropriate funding that will speed up delivery of the promised refuges, CCTV and vehicle detection technology.”
Meanwhile, other hard-hitting results from the IAM RoadSmart study found that 81 per cent of motorists felt less safe travelling on a smart motorway compared to a normal one, and 81 per cent agreed that hard shoulders should be immediately reinstated on smart motorways.
More than 80 per cent also wanted safety refuges on smart motorways to be spaced at 500 metres apart or less.
Finally, 40 per cent of drivers found no noticeable improvement in their journey time, with only 4 per cent finding a very noticeable improvement compared to 6 per cent who actually found it worse than before.
“This survey highlights a potentially very serious unintended consequence in that driver reluctance to use smart motorways could create increased traffic on local A and B roads. This would undoubtedly lead to an increased risk of collision and injury with even more delays and driver frustration resulting.” Greig concluded.
