New research* from AXA UK has shed light on the times and reasons UK motorists are most likely to engage in risky or illegal driving behaviour, as the insurer steps up its road safety education efforts.
The survey of 2,000 drivers found that motorists are most likely to break the law during the morning rush hour at 8:27am and again at 7:15pm during the evening commute. More than a quarter (26%) of respondents admitted to regularly exceeding the speed limit, while nearly half (45%) said they are more likely to ignore road rules in areas they know well.
Drivers cited a range of reasons for breaking the law, including empty or quiet roads (26%), misjudging the speed limit (22%), needing a toilet break (15%), and medical emergencies (33%). Notably, 61% of those surveyed admitted to having been caught speeding at some point, with nearly a third (29%) seeing their insurance premiums rise as a result, 18% facing higher excesses, and 6% having to move to a high-risk insurer.
The research also found that driver behaviour is influenced by the presence of passengers, particularly children. Nearly one in five drivers (19%) reported that children had commented on their driving, with 30% of those being told they were driving too fast and 14% being told off for using a phone at the wheel.
AXA’s findings suggest strong public support for stricter safety measures around schools. Eighty-seven per cent (87%) of respondents believe there should be a blanket 20mph speed limit outside primary schools during drop-off and pick-up times, and 86% feel local authorities should work more closely with schools to improve road safety. Despite this, more than a fifth (22%) of drivers believe current speed limits are too low, though 67% consider them “about right.”
The insurer’s research comes as part of its “Backseat Boss” campaign, which aims to educate primary school children about road safety and encourage them to speak up about risky driving behaviours. The programme, developed in partnership with the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT), is designed to reach over 1,000 children by the end of 2025, with plans for further expansion.
AXA UK CEO Alain Zweibrucker commented on the findings, emphasising the risks of distraction and speeding, especially near schools. “Being distracted at the wheel may seem harmless in the moment - such as replying to ‘just one text’ - but when driving, everything can change in an instant,” he said.
Katrina Phillips, CEO of CAPT, added: “While it might be tempting to speed in an area we know well, what we can’t anticipate is a child suddenly running or veering out in front of us. The speed we drive at can be the difference between life and death for that child.”
The research highlights the ongoing challenge of changing driver behaviour, particularly in familiar environments and when roads appear quiet. It also points to the potential influence of children in promoting safer driving habits at home.
*Survey conducted by OnePoll.com for AXA UK, October 2025, with a sample of 2,000 UK adults.
