An industry figure has claimed that motorists who are caught committing anti-social driving offences, such as not wearing seatbelts, could face higher car insurance premiums.

Steve Grainger, head of comparison site Insurance.co.uk, made the statement in response to new research conducted by the company which identified the most common crimes committed by UK drivers.

Driving while talking or texting on a mobile phone was found to be the offence committed the most, with 26 per cent of people guilty of doing so, while 20 per cent drove without wearing a seatbelt.

Mr Grainger said that many motorists are unaware of the possible penalties that can be imposed by the authorities.

"The consequences of committing such offences are widely unknown by drivers - these can range from points on your licence and increased insurance premiums to a hefty fine or even a prison sentence," he said.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, around 370 people a year are killed in car crashes due to not wearing a seatbelt.

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