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Post date: 07-Apr-2014 21:56:54
County's where drivers have received the most fines for poor maintenance
Caerphilly is the worst county in Great Britain for cars being in an unsafe condition on the road.
Figures from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) reveal 14 out of every 10,000 people in the south Wales county were issued with penalty points for having poorly maintained cars last year under construction and use offences. Endorsements were handed to motorists driving with illegal tyres, defective steering and dodgy brakes, plus unsafe road use.
Caerphilly's total is almost 5 times the British average and follows a trend where Welsh and Scottish areas are the worst performers in the country. The statistics also show the best-kept cars are in Warwickshire with just 1 driver per 10,000 being issued with penalty points there in 2013.
Greater London had the highest number of offences of all places in the UK, but its large population meant it averaged out at sixth place in the worst-offenders list below Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland.
Difficult financial times are said to be partly to blame. "The fact is badly maintained cars are a symptom of the recession, wherever people get short of money, car maintenance takes second place," an AA spokesman commented.
"From a road safety angle, you increase the chance of avoiding an accident if your car is roadworthy. If you are involved in a serious accident where someone is killed or maimed, the condition of your car will be taken into account."
Defective tyres were to blame for most of the penalty points issued across Britain. In 2013 they accounted for nearly 12,000 offences.
The Association of Chief Police Officers said it was determined to tackle the causes of unroadworthy cars. "Motorists must comply with legislation as it's there to keep us all safe," explained a spokesman. "Defective brakes, lights and tyres will not be tolerated."
Areas with worst maintained cars
Areas with best maintained cars
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