Many drivers love to speed, don’t care about penalty points and are clueless about road signs – all according to a study of motorists’ habits.

Research involving 2,000 drivers, 29 police forces and the DVLA has revealed the following shocking stats about attitudes towards road safety and laws.

1. One in three drivers don’t know a simple white circle with a black stripe signifies the national speed limit applies. One in seven drivers even think a ‘slippery road’ sign means ‘paint on the road’.

2. A fifth of all drivers have received penalty points in the past 10 years as a result of driving too fast – with 13 per cent of those accumulating nine points or more in this time.

3. Data from the DVLA reveals a staggering 1,340,680 drivers received penalty points or were disqualified from driving in the past 12 months alone, while 818,768 drivers were penalised for speeding offences – the equivalent of 2,243 every day.

4. In a 30mph zone one in every three drivers (36%) admit they always drive over the speed limit. On average these drivers admit to doing 38mph.

5. In a 40mph zone 32 per cent of drivers admit they always drive over the speed limit. On average these drivers admit to doing 47mph.

6. In a 70mph zone 43 per cent of drivers admit they always drive over the speed limit. On average these drivers admit to doing 81mph.

7. More than a quarter of drivers confess they would much rather pick up points and a fine than attend a police speed awareness course. In contrast, speed awareness courses do appear to work with only five per cent of those who attend re-offending.

8. A typical motorist with a penchant for speeding will begin driving over the limit less than a car’s length after passing a camera, slowing only so they do not get caught.

9. One in four drivers has crashed their car or had a near miss as a result of speeding – a figure supported by official government data, showing there were 4,745 crashes caused by a driver exceeding the speed limit reported to the police in 2012 alone (13 every day).

10. The average car insurance premium increases by 13 per cent for a speeding offence.

Research conducted by OnePoll on behalf of MORE TH>N Car Insurance

Gary Rae, senior campaigner for road safety charity Brake, said: “These are worrying findings

"The research suggests a significant proportion of drivers seem to think it is okay to break the laws of the road.

“It can never be acceptable and we urge all drivers to respect road safety laws and recognise that such laws exist to help save lives. Speed limits are just that – a limit – not a target to exceed.”

Click on the infographic below to view a larger version:

News Shopper: Speeding infographic

Do you think speed limits need changing or punishments made tougher? Are you troubled by the attitudes revealed by this survey? Or do you think too many driving penalties are issued and it doesn't matter if drivers flout the law just a little bit? Add your comments below.