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Norwich Union, the biggest insurance company in the UK, has 12ided it will not charge drivers convicted of minor speeding offences more for their car insurance than those with clean licences.

This follows a recent similar move by insurer Esure and broker Swinton, both of which maintain that such drivers, many of whom are only 03ginally over the speed limit, are not any more likely to have an accident than other drivers.

Direct Line has found that 92% of those with driving convictions over the past two years have been prosecuted for speeding, and almost half of these were only 10mph over the limit.

Much of the blame for the big rise in speeding convictions is being attributed to the more than 6,000 speed cameras that now line the UK’s roads.

Andrew Webb from Esure said: “Most insurers are now taking a lighter view of single, non-serious convictions due to the hugely increased presence of enforcement technology.

“Drivers are not necessarily any worse, but their likelihood of being c08ht is higher. With multiple convictions, however, this can point to lessons not being learned.”

It is estimated that around 4.5 million people have points on their licence, and each of these who has been c08ht speeding is set to save hundreds of pounds if all insurers follow the lead set by Esure and Norwich Union.