226,803 drivers in the UK have points on their licence for driving without insurance, according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists).

The FOI request, directed to the DVLA, revealed that 194,997 full licence holders and 31,806 provisional licence holders have been caught driving without vehicle insurance and have received points for doing so – one in two-hundred drivers. In the 17-35 age range, one in every 100 people with a full driving licence has points for driving uninsured.

Figures also show that in both licence categories and all age groups it is men who are far more likely to commit this offence. In the 17-24 age category, men are four times more likely to have points on their licence for driving uninsured than women.

Other findings were: • People in the 25-35 age category are most likely to drive uninsured (81,003 with points). • Drivers over 65 were least likely to have points on their licence for driving without insurance (0.06%, or 3,867 people). • 0.44% of people with a provisional license have been caught driving uninsured. • One in every 200 people with a full UK driving license has been penalised with points for driving without insurance.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “These findings are shocking. Those 200,000 individuals who drive whilst uninsured place the burden back on those who abide by the law through higher premiums and potentially the cost of vehicle repair.

 “The most concerning fact is that this could just be the tip of the iceberg, as these numbers only represent those who have been caught and penalised.  Insurance fraud and uninsured driving are also growing problems that need to be tackled through a coordinated approach from enforcement authorities. It is not acceptable that drivers pay up to £70 in higher premiums to compensate for those who ignore the law.”

As well as six points and a fine for driving uninsured, an eighteen year-old with a £950 premium could expect to see this increase to £2,195.  For a thirty year-old it would increase from £228 to £4621.

Peter Harrison, car insurance expert at MoneySupermarket, said: “It’s astonishing how many drivers are still prepared to hit the road without insurance. Not only is it illegal but you could face thousands of pounds in liability, a conviction, six points on your licence and a hefty fine should you be caught out or be involved in a crash. To make matters worse, uninsured drivers cost the insurance industry £500 million each year. Furthermore, insurance fraud adds £39 to the cost of every motor premium and uninsured driving an extra £30 – this is not fair on law-abiding motorists.

“The cost of insurance premiums will no doubt have influenced the decision from some drivers to forgo insurance altogether. However, the penalties for not having insurance are great, and could even result in your vehicle being confiscated. Although car insurance premiums may appear high, having suitable insurance and proving you are a safe driver will help bring premiums down over time. Not having insurance, and being caught without it, could result in you not being insurable in the future.”

The home of motor sport once again opens its doors this summer as Silverstone welcomes the Hertz MotoGP to its iconic track.

There are reasons this event attracts so much attention across the world and it isn’t just the prestige of the circuit. By September the World Championship will be near its crescendo and three drivers still have a major chance of winning biking’s ultimate crown.

Current leaders Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo are set to battle for glory on this iconic motorsport circuit and if the Hertz British MotoGP is anything like last year we’re set for some thrilling action. Lorenzo dominated last season, finishing first before using the Silverstone victory to springboard himself to the World Championship. His main rival this term however, was hot on his tail as Pedrosa landed third and will push the Yamaha rider to the limit this summer.

British hopes lie in Cal Crutchlow, Bradley Smith and Michael Laverty – all three of whom have raced well at Silverstone before. Crutchlow will hope to avenge his nightmare in 2012 when he broke his ankle before qualifying. Nevertheless, he finished sixth after a blistering run but we were left thinking “what if the crash hadn’t happened?” The Silverstone circuit is a tough one to master but there are numerous overtaking zones, which is what makes this race so gripping for spectators across the stands.

For those looking to attend but don’t want to leave their car in the parking zones Hertz are on hand to provide car and van hire on hertz.co.uk for the British MotoGP. Getting to and from Silverstone couldn’t be easier and whether you’ve a full weekend ticket or a day pass there is ample parking spaces plus ‘park & ride’ facilities to help you get into the thick of the action. After all, the MotoGP experience is all about the race and no one wants any distractions, which is why Hertz has teamed up with the British Grand Prix for another year as the title sponsor.

...to the safety, performance and running costs of motorcycles. 

Just 3psi under-inflation and we can be using 5% more fuel and shortening tyre life by 10% to 15%!  Under-inflated tyres are more likely to puncture too – especially in the wet.

Now, Stamford based TyrePal Ltd have introduced their TD4100 Tyre Pressure Monitoring System to take the worry and uncertainty out of checking motorcycle tyre pressures on the move.

Simple to fit and set up, the Tyre Pal TD4100 relays pressure and temperature information continuously from lightweight, dust cap sensors to an easy to read handlebar monitor.  A bright red LED also flashes a warning of any impending tyre disasters. 

The system needs no wiring and comes complete with instructions, mounting bracket and batteries.  The sensors have anti- theft locking rings and the monitor clips off for safe-keeping; it has a waterproof cover too. Re-balancing of the wheels is generally unnecessary.

With all newly homologated cars having to fit TPMS from November 2012, their safety benefits go without saying.  With the TyrePal TD4100 retailing at just £149 including VAT and a full year’s warranty, the financial benefits are now also too good to ignore…

Order yours on line at www.tyrepal.co.uk

The home of motor sport once again opens its doors this summer as Silverstone welcomes the Hertz MotoGP to its iconic track.

There are reasons this event attracts so much attention across the world and it isn’t just the prestige of the circuit. By September the World Championship will be near its crescendo and three drivers still have a major chance of winning biking’s ultimate crown.

Current leaders Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo are set to battle for glory on this iconic motorsport circuit and if the Hertz British MotoGP is anything like last year we’re set for some thrilling action. Lorenzo dominated last season, finishing first before using the Silverstone victory to springboard himself to the World Championship. His main rival this term however, was hot on his tail as Pedrosa landed third and will push the Yamaha rider to the limit this summer.

British hopes lie in Cal Crutchlow, Bradley Smith and Michael Laverty – all three of whom have raced well at Silverstone before. Crutchlow will hope to avenge his nightmare in 2012 when he broke his ankle before qualifying. Nevertheless, he finished sixth after a blistering run but we were left thinking “what if the crash hadn’t happened?” The Silverstone circuit is a tough one to master but there are numerous overtaking zones, which is what makes this race so gripping for spectators across the stands.

For those looking to attend but don’t want to leave their car in the parking zones Hertz are on hand to provide car and van hire on hertz.co.uk for the British MotoGP. Getting to and from Silverstone couldn’t be easier and whether you’ve a full weekend ticket or a day pass there is ample parking spaces plus ‘park & ride’ facilities to help you get into the thick of the action. After all, the MotoGP experience is all about the race and no one wants any distractions, which is why Hertz has teamed up with the British Grand Prix for another year as the title sponsor.

A nine-day charity ride-out to all 51 villages in the UK who had all their soldiers return home alive at the end of the Great War in 1918 and we want you to take part by joining for part or all of the ride!

The run, which starts this Saturday (ending 4th August), is the brainchild of Triumph owners Dougie Bancroft and Medwyn Parry and appropriately aims to raise £51,000 for the Royal British Legion.

Triumph, who supplied 30,000 motorcycles to the allied forces during WW1, have loaned two, bespoke liveried Trophys to the duo, to enable them to undertake this historic tour.

The bikes have now been collected, the route planned, the GPS, tracker and comms fitted, now all that’s left to do is invite you to join the Thankful Villages Run.

Pick as much or little of the route as you like and follow the two Triumph Trophys between the Thankful Villages. Riders who join the ride are asked to donate a minimum £5 towards the Royal British Legion and can do this by texting ‘THVR51 £5’ to 70070, via the website or in cash on the day.

Further details, including the complete village-by-village schedule, are available on the Thankful Village Run website.

www.thankfulvillagesrun.com