Press releases

Matching crime and punishment

Everyone at the pub thinks they’re an expert on driving laws, especially drink driving.

But the truth is they are usually very wrong.

In fact, a new “Crime and Punishment” survey from breakdown service Autonational Rescue shows that the vast majority of motorists are wrong too…… and simply can’t match the crime with the punishment!

The survey of British motorists across the UK asked motorists if they knew what kind of punishment they could expect if they drove a car without car tax, or if they refused a roadside breath test, or even if they were caught drink driving.

Said Ronan Hart, Autonational’s marketing manager: “Quite frankly, the survey results were startling.

“Just 14% of motorists knew what the legal punishment would be for refusing a breath test - which means of course that 86% did not know.

“While only 16% knew what they could expect for speeding on the motorway, and again the vast majority had absolutely no idea.”

The survey results for other motoring offences were not much better.

Motorists were asked what the legal punishment would be for driving without car tax (answer: Fine up to £1,000 and 0 penalty points). 27% knew that while others thought the penalties were much higher.

Only 14% of drivers knew what the penalty was for driving without a licence (answer: 3-6 penalty points and a fine up to £1,000) while 86% got it completely wrong.

And finally, proving that all was not completely lost, a relatively high amount – 38% of UK motorists – knew that drink driving would result in a heavy penalty, namely a fine of up to £5,000 and compulsory disqualification.

But even for that motoring crime, the 62% majority did not have a clue.

Added Ronan Hart: “There’s a good case for a Government educational initiative aimed at motorists. It would certainly be a good incentive for some drivers not to offend in the first place”

Full details of offences and their penalties can be found on the DVLA website at www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/endorsem.htm

Crime and punishment. In the meantime, can you match up the penalty with the motoring offence?

The motoring offences covered below are:
No driving licence
Refusing roadside breath test
In charge of vehicle with excess alcohol
Speeding on a motorway
Driving with excess alcohol
No car Tax
No insurance

Cover up the column on the right and see if you know the answers.

Penalty points	Likely penalty	Disqualification?	Fixed penalty option?	Correct Answers
0	Fine up to £1,000	Not an option	Yes	No Car Tax
3-6	Fine up to £1,000	Possible	No	No Driving Licence
3-6	Fine up to £2,500	Possible	Yes	Speeding on M/Way
6-8	Fine up to £5,000	Possible	No	No Insurance
10	Fine up to £2,500	Likely	No	In charge of vehicle with excess alcohol
4	Fine up to £1,000	Possible	No	Refusing a roadside breath test
3-11	Fine up to £5,000	Compulsory	No	Drink driving

The survey was undertaken across Great Britain by RSGB Omnibus, part of the TNS Group.

For more information about Autonational Rescue, the car breakdown service with the no claims bonus, call 07000 999 911

Issued by CPR Works
Tel: 01902 680068
Contact: Jenny Carr/Roger Eversley
E-mail:jenny@cpr.co.uk
Web: www.cpr.co.uk

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