Directors breaking the speed barrier
High level executives break speeding laws more than anyone else, according to new research.
Research from Gocompare.com Car Insurance found that sales directors were the biggest culprits for speeding with nearly a fifth (19%) having picked up a speeding conviction in the last five years, more than three times the national average (six per cent) of all occupations.
Top 10 professions to receive speeding convictions were sales director (18.8%), operations director (18.2%), oil rig crew (17.9%), company chairman (17.8%), surgeon (17.7%), managing director (17.1%), surveyor, chartered (15.7%), chief executive (15.6%), chartered surveyor (15.4%) and commissioning engineer (15.3%).
Other occupations exceeding the speed limit, at a higher proportion than average, include police officers (7.2%), journalists (8.4%) and ministers of religion (nine per cent).
Alternatively, the occupations among the least likely to receive speeding convictions are packers (1.9%), car wash attendants (2.4%) and playgroup assistants (2.6%).
On the study, Dr Craig Knight, honorary research fellow at the University of Exeter and director of Haddleton Knight, specialises in psychology of working environments, said, ‘Almost all professions with the highest proportion of speeding penalties are roles that involve longer journeys where speed will be involved.
‘And of course, all the roles within the top 10 are very well paid, even in the context of this study; the job holder can afford higher performance, faster vehicles.’
Matt Oliver, Gocompare.com car insurance spokesperson added, ‘Apart from the obvious safety issues, driving convictions can impact your ability to get car insurance or may significantly increase your premium. In fact, a speeding penalty can add around £80 to your annual insurance. That’s on top of the fine you’ll receive, which could be as much as 150% of your weekly income under tougher new laws being introduced from April.
‘In some cases, drivers have the option to attend the National Speed Awareness course instead of taking the fine or penalty points, however, some insurers will take this into consideration when calculating their premiums.
‘It’s essential that you inform your insurer if you have been convicted of any motoring offence, failure to do so could invalidate your insurance and your insurance company could refuse to pay out should you need to make a claim.’
