Professional footballers top list of jobs most likely to be caught speeding – while builders can’t stay off the phone
While professional athletes are some of the worst offenders, plenty of common jobs are among the top occupations most likely to break traffic laws. And it could have a significant impact on their insurance premiums
PROFESSIONAL footballers are most likely to be slapped with a speeding fine than another other job, new research has found.
The fast-paced lifestyle of the Premier League elite seems to go hand in hand with a heavy driving foot.
Analysis of motoring offences on six million insurance applications found footballers picked up more speeding fines than any other group in the UK.
Some of the sport's biggest names have already been caught breaking the speed limit.
Late last year, former Newcastle United ace Andros Townsend was banned from driving for six months for doing 51mph in a 30mph zone.
Manchester United player Marouane Fellani was handed a hefty driving ban in 2015 after he was caught speeding twice in one day along the A56 in Sale - travelling twice the speed limit on both occasions.
Top 10 professions most likely to be caught speeding
- Professional footballer
- Restaurant owner
- Construction engineer
- Offshore rig worker
- Amateur musician
- Medical consultant
- Higher executive officer
- Sales engineer
- Chairman – commercial
- Surgeon
The investigation by car insurer Admiral broke down the offences to see just how much a traffic conviction could impact a motorist's premium.
It came as no surprise that speeding was the most common offence among Brits, while using a mobile phone behind the wheel also proved far too common despite the introduction of harsher penalties earlier this year.
While soccer superstars came out on top of the list, the top 10 occupations most likely to be convicted of speeding also included restaurant owners, medical practitioners, executive officers and engineers.
Men proved to be worse than women for breaking the speed limit, with twice as many being convicted of the offence across every age bracket.
Scaffolders were most likely to be caught using their phone will driving, followed by fellow tradespeople joiners and glaziers.
Restaurant owners were also guilty of the offence, on top of the fact they're also common speeders.
According to Admiral, driving convictions can have a significant impact on insurance premiums.
Top 5 worst offenders for driving while using a mobile phone
- Scaffolder
- Joiner – building trade
- Glazier
- Restaurant Owner
- Junior Manager
Their research found a conviction with up to three points could increase your premium by as much as £380, while a more serious conviction such as using a mobile phone while driving could increase an annual premium by £660.
Sabine Williams, head of motor at Admiral said: “A fine isn’t the only financial impact of getting a motoring conviction; it can also mean higher premiums.
"This is because claims statistics show that those who have motoring offences, convictions or penalty points are more likely to be involved in an accident than those who have not, and are also more likely to make higher value claims than others.
“For some more serious offences such as dangerous driving, you might find it hard to get insurance at all.
“Not only is flouting the law dangerous for the individual and others on the road but it could also add significant sums to insurance premiums."
