Keele research behind major boost in number of insured UK drivers

The work of a Keele criminologist has been featured in the Government’s new strategic plan to improve road safety, helping police forces prioritise resources where they’re needed most. 

The Government's recently published Road Safety Strategy aims to reduce the numbers of people who are killed or seriously injured on UK roads, and contains a number of references to a national police operation known as "Operation Tutelage", which Keele criminologist Dr Helen Wells has been the academic advisor to since 2017.  

The project, which has been funded by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, now covers all UK forces, and is underpinned by Dr Wells’ extensive work on roads policing. Central to the approach is the sending of a 'nudge' letter to uninsured drivers. As part of her role as academic advisor to the whole approach, the letter was designed by Dr Wells, drawing on behaviour change research and criminological concepts, 

Over one million letters have now been sent by police forces in the UK, with 78% of recipients subsequently obtaining insurance. In just one year, this equates to an estimated £95 million in premiums taken out by drivers after receiving an Operation Tutelage letter. 

The approach also helps target roads policing resources onto those that have resisted the nudge, with over 63% of those drivers and vehicles stopped by police also involved in other offences.  

The strategy highlighted Tutelage as an example of notable innovation, describing its "highly successful compliance-nudge approach". 

Dr Wells said: “Operation Tutelage is a great example of operational policing and wider policing partners thinking creatively about how they can make the roads safer, and also of the willingness of policing to embrace academic research. I’m excited to see what the future holds for the programme and to see it receive recognition in this important document.”