According to research by the organization, the total number of magistrates’ court proceedings for motoring offences fell from one million in 2010 to 888,000 in 2011, down 12.6%.

The findings, based on Ministry of Justice figures released in June, also show that the number of people facing prosecution in magistrates’ courts fell from 630,900 in 2010 to 566,800 in 2011, down 10%, according to research by the IAM.

The number of people facing prosecution for driving offences that resulted in death dropped by 11.5%, from 694 in 2010 to 614 in 2011, while the number of people facing prosecution for causing death by dangerous driving fell from 282 in 2010 to 201 in 2011, down 28.7%.

There was also an 11.5% fall in the number of people facing prosecution for using a hand held phone, dropping from 40,000 in 2010 to 35,400 in 2011.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: ‘The recession and the expansion of awareness courses for offences like speeding could well be having an impact on these figures – more people are opting for courses rather than points and this improves driving.   

‘While we fully support increasing and improving courses for some driving offences, we need to know why fewer drivers are being prosecuted for the more serious offences. The government needs to explain the reasons for such a dramatic fall.’