North West drivers are some of Britain's safest

However new research has cast light on a new, previously undocumented area - the state of driving.

A study of black box data by insurers Direct Line has shown the South East and South West in the bottom two when it comes to careful motorists, with the North East and Scotland at the top. The North West comes in at the number four spot.

The insurance firm analysed the locations of 10,000 DrivePlus policyholders who scored highest for safety factors such as speed, smooth acceleration and braking.

Once each region’s driving population was taken into account it was found the North East has the highest proportion of the safest drivers, followed by Scotland and the East of England.

Paul Felton, of Direct Line, said safer drivers with telematics devices in their vehicles are given lower renewal prices for insurance.

He added: “This will be music to the ears of many young drivers across Britain, particularly those in the North East.”

But Neil Greig, the Institute of Advanced Motorists’ director of policy and research, claimed black boxes could be used for “so much more” than premium adjustment.

“The IAM would like to work with insurers to tailor training courses based on each drivers’ individual failings,” he said.

The top 10 of safest drivers by region reads:

North East

Scotland

East of England

North West

Midlands

London

Wales and the West

Yorkshire

South West

South East