While 8% speed when they think they can get away with it, 37% break the the speed limit when they ‘deem it to be safe’, with 20% only speeding on motorways.

Peter Harrison, car insurance expert at MoneySupermarket, said: “Let’s face it – we all live life in the ‘fast lane’, but British motorists are really putting pedal to the metal.

Our poll speaks volumes about peoples’ need for speed, but the consequences are far reaching; not only in terms of the fine and points on your license, but also the impact on your budget when the cost of cover soars. Insurers clearly take a dim view on policy holders who speed.”

Analysis shows there is a vast difference in the cost of car insurance premiums for those with a speeding conviction compared to those with a clean license. A young male driver with nine points on his license could expect the cost of a premium to be around 118% higher than a driver of the same age without points.

The biggest jump in insurance premiums is for those drivers caught speeding twice. The analysis showed a 30-year-old male with three points on his license would pay £439 for a year’s cover, whereas six points would mean paying £702 – a 60% increase.

Harrison adde3d: “Not only are motorists who flout the law by speeding risking the lives of other road users and pedestrians as well as their own, but for repeat offenders, they run the risk of insurers refusing to provide them with cover in the future.”