Young drivers in Ealing have been ranked the most reckless in the UK according to data collected by one of the country's largest specialist motor insurance companies.

A black box supplied to drivers by insurer Adrian Flux that monitors performance and warns drivers about their speeding found that 98.5 per cent of young drivers in Ealing triggered the safety message.

The black box analysis sets the need for speed among Ealing's young license-holders in stark contrast to the safe right feet in Conwy, Wales, where just 17 per cent of young drivers triggered the speed warning.

Unlike in Conwy, where young drivers can use the black box data to reduce their renewal premiums, the speeds seen in Ealing are likely to cost teens who hope to find cheaper car insurance.

"This gamification style approach has helped sensible drivers save up to 60% for a year-long safe driving upon renewal," said Scott Goodliffe at Adrian Flux

"Unfortunately, some users are less attentive or cautious and their behaviour is a cause for concern because it leaves them more likely to make a claim or hurt themselves or others."

It is possible, however, that the high number of 20 mile-per-hour roads in Ealing will unfairly penalise teens here compared to their peers elsewhere in the UK.

Roads enclosed by the A406, A40, Greenford Road, Windmill Lane and the southern borough boundary adopted the reduced speed limit in March 2019 after a trial in Acton was made permanent. 

Meanwhile a public consultation in Wales this year found that more than half of people oppose plans to introduce similar 20mph restrictions in 2023.