Insurance news
26/10/2011
Insurance for car payments negatively affected by point swaps
UK motorists who have points added to their licence face more than just paying an increased amount in insurance for car payments, it also means they could lose their licence altogether.
In order to avoid these penalties it seems that some drivers (1%) are attempting to swap points with another driver, according to a survey carried out by the AA.
Of the 16,961 AA members who have been polled, only 12% said they would report the matter to the relevant authorities while 13% claimed they were aware of someone who had already done it.
Apparently, what members of the UK public do for a living affects whether they would tell the authorities. Among professional and senior management groups the number who would report the crime was 11% but rose to 16% among skilled manual and service workers.
Where someone is from also plays a role, as one in six drivers from Northern Ireland would report a request to take someone else's points, compared with around one in ten who would come forward in north-east England, London and Wales.
Penalty points are assigned to drivers not only to affect their car insurance but also to punish them and make them consider how they can be a better driver on the road.
Drivers found to be swapping penalty points with other road users, perhaps to avoid more costly insurance for car payments, can be charged with perverting the course of justice, which can result in a four to nine month prison sentence or a large fine.