Drivers who speed over 20% of the time increase their risk of having an accident by 87%, new analysis indicates.

Regular speeding culprits can almost double their risk of an accident

The research by telematics-based car insurance specialist Insure The Box also finds that those who speed 10% of the time increase the risk by 42%.

Smoothness of driving is also a key factor in accident risks, with the firm’s analysis showing that drivers who have erratic driving behaviour such as swerving, speeding and habitually slamming on the brakes are far more likely to end up having a crash.

The company added that communications of risks can play a key role in driving down accident rates.

Charlotte Halkett, general manager communications for Insure The Box, said: “The actual driving data received from the black boxes installed in our customers’ vehicles enables us to directly target feedback and incentives to encourage our policyholders to improve their driving.

“For example, we have seen a reduction in speeding of 15% amongst customers who we had seen speeding on a regular basis. Our data shows that this is likely to reduce the number of serious or even fatal accidents on our roads.”