More than two thirds of car insurance customers in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are in favour of government plans to make it an offence to keep a vehicle that isn't covered.

However, research by AA Insurance – unveiled at a motor conference held by the Association of British Insurers this week – shows that younger drivers are less likely to be in favour of the legislation. Just a quarter of car insurance customers aged between 18 and 24 "strongly agree" with the new rules.

Female car insurance customers in Northern Ireland and beyond proved to be more enthusiastic, with three quarters in favour compared to 64 per cent of men polled.

Out of nearly 14,000 AA members questioned, a total of 69 per cent expressed agreement with the proposed measures to tackle uninsured driving.

"Police already do have and do use powers to confiscate uninsured vehicles on the public highway," commented Paul Watters, head of public affairs at the AA. "Under new legislation, they will also have the power to issue penalties for offending vehicles that are on private land."

Northern Ireland motorists without car insurance face being fined £100 or having their vehicle seized and destroyed.