They are supposed to uphold and administer the law, but when it comes to motoring, the legal profession shows delinquent tendencies.

Lawyers, judges and magistrates are 60% more likely than the average motorist to have points on their licence, according to research by insurer Admiral. Analysis of 1.6 million policies taken out in 2008 revealed that 20% of holders in the legal profession had convictions, mainly for speeding, traffic light offences and using a mobile phone while driving. The overall average was 12.6%.

Still, you’re in good company: medics, religious leaders and police officers also have below-average driving records, the figures suggest.

The legal profession’s errant behaviour left an Admiral spokeswoman perplexed: ‘It's difficult to say why these occupations may have more than average motoring convictions. It could be that some of the more well-paid professions such as lawyers may drive cars with larger engines and are tempted to drive fast in them, plus possibly they drive more miles due to their work.’

But it’s not all bad news for bad drivers, in the capital at least. We have heard (from an impeccable source) that the Metropolitan Police has instructed its bobbies not to enforce contraventions of certain traffic signs, including no U-turn, no right/left turn and no entry.

Obiter phoned Scotland Yard to learn this was no early April fool. ‘Following a review of police powers after the introduction of the Traffic Management Act 2004 and the Transport for London Act 2003, police no longer have legal power to enforce certain moving traffic offences involving non-compliance with signs,’ the Met said.

Apparently, enforcement is now a matter for local councils or Transport for London. However, the police will not be turning a completely blind eye. ‘Where officers see driving that is blatantly of a poor standard or that endangers other road users, police will still intervene and take action under their general powers to tackle dangerous or careless driving.’