Motorists are incurring less penalty points for driver offences, new research indicates.

The number of penalty points given fell by 26.7% in 2017

Statistics submitted by the DVLA following an FOI request from breakdown specialist 24/7 Vehicle Rescue show the number of penalty points given fell by 26.7% in 2017; down from 1,266,857 to 928,855 endorsements.

Ranjen Gohri, of 24/7 Vehicle Rescue, said the statistics could indicate that drivers are getting safer as rules become more strict, in particular following the introduction of tougher mobile phone penalties last year.

The figures are backed up by recent research published by Confused.com, which showed the number of drivers caught on their mobile phone fell 39% in 2017 in the wake of the new penalties.

However, research published two weeks ago by 24/7 Vehicle Rescue has also found that drivers are being hit by tougher punishments for motoring offences, increasing the risk of a ban for a string of minor offences. The government data showed the number of drivers receiving such “double whammy” punishments each year increased 20.8% between 2011 and 2016 – from 1,858,000 to 2,244,000.