Causing concern is the amount of young drivers that are willing to risk driving without insurance as the policies are so high. Over 36,000 cars are being driven in the Hampshire area without insurance the Daily Echo has uncovered. The worst areas appear to be in Southampton city centre where 1,426 cars, nearly 15 per cent were being driven without cover.

The figures were calculated by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau who went on to highlight other ‘trouble’ spots, one being Portswood/Highfield where some 548 vehicles were being driven without car insurance. Perhaps it is the lack of an investment in their driving skills and thus the potential final repercussions that lead them to drive recklessly also. The figures also reveal that uninsured motorists are ten times more likely to drive while under the influence and are three times more likely to receive a conviction for careless driving.

For some young drivers the credit crunch has meant they simply cannot afford a policy with a £2,000 price tag for a car that is valued at £500. For them it makes more sense to simply pay the fine as it will still cost them less than the price of a policy.