Young drivers should not delay in renewing their car insurance policies no matter how tight finances are, one organisation has stressed.
The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) has launched a brand new campaign aimed at encouraging people to renew their cover, especially during the recession when they are looking to cut costs.
It is estimated by the MIB that 75 per cent of drivers are currently looking for cheap car insurance quotes to cut the cost of motoring. However, almost 600,000 motorists between the ages of 21 and 29 are on the road without insurance, accounting for 34 per cent of the uninsured population. These are statistics which need to be reduced significantly in order to reduce the social and economic impact of uninsured driving, the organisation asserted.
Chairman of the MIB Keith Morris said: "We know that the recession has hit young people particularly hard, which is worrying, because this is the group traditionally associated with driving without insurance."
It seems his worries may not be without reason. The AA recently found that half of male drivers own their first vehicle before they reach the age of 20, showing that teenage car ownership really is on the rise.
More than two-thirds of people who are now between the ages of 18 and 24 had acquired their first car before the end of their teens, compared to just a quarter of those over 65.
Even if money is tight, Mr Morris emphasised that there are no excuses for breaking the law, no matter what age group a motorist falls into. "We want to help drivers by providing information on how they might save money, but still remain appropriately covered," he stressed.
In 2008, he revealed that 232,000 uninsured drivers were prosecuted, which just goes to show that those who cheat the system can be caught out. Taking out car insurance is a relatively small expense when considering what motorists can stand to lose by not taking out cover.
Young drivers in particular are making an impact on other road users and should therefore make sure they are fully insured. Figures from Admiral show 72 per cent of road users think boy and girl racers are the worst drivers, overtaking the traditional disapproval of white van men.
Drawing attention to themselves on the roads can prove disastrous for young drivers in particular. Mr Morris stated that motorists must realise that they will get caught if they drive without insurance and should take the necessary action to avoid it.
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