The number of driving-related magistrates court proceedings dropped last year, according to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

One million of these proceedings took place in 2010, but this figure dipped to 888,000 in 2011, representing a downturn of 12.6 per cent.

In addition, the number of people facing prosecution for these offences fell to 566,800 last year from more than 630,000 in 2010.

Based on figures released this month by the Ministry of Justice, the study also revealed a 28.7 per cent decrease in the number of motorists prosecuted for causing death by dangerous driving.

Simon Best, chief executive of the IAM, said: "The recession and the expansion of awareness courses for offences like speeding could well be having an impact on these figures – more people are opting for courses rather than points."

The news comes shortly after Swiftcover.com discovered that 6.8 million parking tickets were handed out in 2011, costing motorists more than £234 million in fines.

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Posted by Brendan Saunders