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Insurance Directory >> Car Insurance News UK Car Insurance NewsSeptember 23, 2005
Poor driver education to blame for fatal crashes
The car insurance company, Direct Line, is calling for changes to the driving test to include education on motorway driving due to the number of fatal accidents involving heavy goods vehicles (HGV). Fatal crashes involving HGVs are becoming more common with statistics showing a 19% increase year on year.
The findings from Direct Line indicate a lack of driver education as one of the main causes of accidents with lorries in the UK. One in five (18%) motorists rush to overtake lorries because they feel intimidated and don't know how to adapt their driving around bigger vehicles. This lack of driver confidence is causing a serious problem on the UK roads. Government data shows there were more than 6,000 accidents involving HGVs in 2003 (the most recent year that figures are available for), resulting in the deaths of 166 motorists and close to 8,000 casualties. Two million drivers (7%) admit that they are completely clueless about how to drive around large vehicles and 70% of motorists would welcome driving test reforms to include training on how to drive around lorries and other large vehicles on the roads. The most common way of reacting towards HGV's is hesitating around the vehicle (21%). The current UK practical driving test does not include driving on the motorway at all and it is up to the driving test examiners discretion as to whether learners are tested on dual carriageways. Direct Line Motor spokesperson, Emma Holyer said: "More than a quarter (28%) of UK motorists don't like driving on the motorway - and encountering large vehicles at high speed simply reinforces this anxiety. Indecisive driving increases the risk of accidents ? and we would urge nervous motorists to take extra driving lessons or take an advanced driving test to help build up their confidence. "Direct Line is calling on the Driving Standards Agency to ensure the driving test always include motorway driving in a bid to reduce the number of fatalities on the nation's roads." Additional findings from the research include:
Motorists concerned about their driving could also take the Pass Plus test. This one-day course is designed by the Driving Standards Agency, insurers and the driving instruction industry and helps motorists drive with more confidence. In addition to improving driving skills, insurers offer a substantial first year discount for those who have taken the test. Direct Line offers 17 - 20 year olds a 20% discount, 21 - 24 year olds a 30% discount and 25 year olds and above will receive a 40% discount.Direct Line also offers the following tips on driving safely around large vehicles:
posted by UK Insurance Index @ 9:43 AM
September 02, 2005
School run drivers voted worse than 'White Van Man'
Motorists' stereotypes about other road users are causing erratic driving behaviour on UK roads, according to new research from Direct Line.
The research revealed that British drivers tend to judge other motorists by the types of vehicles they are at the wheel of before seeing them drive. Almost three quarters (73 per cent) of motorists admit to behaving differently depending on who is in front of them. Common ways of reacting included driving aggressively (11 per cent), driving slowly (22 per cent), refusing to give way (11 per cent) and driving badly to deliberately irritate (four per cent) in a conscious attempt to aggravate drivers of specific cars. The survey interviewed motorists nation-wide about who they believed were the worst motorists in the UK and surprisingly school run drivers (18 per cent) were voted the worst by almost one in five drivers. They were followed by 'white van man' (17 per cent) and taxi drivers (14 per cent) in positions two and three respectively. The top five most annoying habits cited were: 1. Driving rudely (i.e. tailgating, refusing to let other drivers out) 2. Driving carelessly 3. Repeatedly switching lane to find the quickest route 4. Intimidating behaviour (i.e. flashing to get past, shouting etc) 5. Excessive speeding The Direct Line research shows these misconceptions are unjust as these road users who are perceived to be poor drivers, display some of the most polite behaviour on the roads. School run drivers, believed to be the most careless behind the wheel (69 per cent), are far more likely to stick to the speed limits (29 per cent) than any other vehicle on the road. Likewise, despite their aggressive reputation, taxi drivers are the most altruistic drivers in the UK. Almost half (48 per cent) of cabbies would stop to help a motorist in trouble, compared to the national average of 34 per cent. Similarly, often maligned as a menace on the roads, white van drivers are far more likely to thank motorists for giving way (23 per cent) than any other road user. Direct Line's Motor spokeswoman, Emma Holyer, said:"It is sometimes easy to let our misconceptions get in the way and take to driving in an aggressive manner simply because we don't want other motorists to get the better of us. However this research shows driver stereotypes are more fiction than fact and we should try to be courteous to all motorists ? no matter what they are driving." posted by UK Insurance Index @ 5:30 PM
News items are intended for information only and should not be relied upon when making insurance decisions. Due to their nature some of the information in these news stories may no longer be current. |
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