Young drivers feel pressured by other drivers
A report looks at how to make the roads safer
Last updated 30th Sep 2020
Aggression, tailgating and dangerous overtaking - they're just some of the things young drivers who have just passed their test say they're experiencing on the UK's roads. A report by Co-op Insurance has been looking into driver behaviours on the roads as part of its plans to help young drivers feel safer on the roads.
The survey shows over half (53%) of the UK’s 17-25-year-old drivers are being put under pressure to drive faster by other motorists. As a result, a quarter (24%) say they feel physically unsafe when driving. Aggression was increased towards young motorists using a black box. Four fifths (80%) have experienced another vehicle driving too close to them, 72% have experienced another driver overtaking them when it is not safe to do so and close to half (43%) have been on the receiving end of rude hand gestures. A further fifth (21%) have felt pressured to pull out at a junction when it wasn’t safe.
When looking at how often young motorists are having to deal with these poor driving behaviours, for almost a third (30%) this is a weekly occurrence and for over a quarter (27%) such behaviours are experienced monthly. As a result, a fifth (23%) say they feel anxious whilst driving.
As part of the report, over a third of more mature motorists, aged 26 and over, admitted they were not mindful of others on the roads. 86% said they often get frustrated by other road users, with almost half (48%) admitting to sounding their horns at others when angry, despite this being against the law.
Meanwhile, almost two fifths (37%) of motorists over the age of 26 have flashed their lights in frustration at another driver and over a quarter (26%) have sworn at another motorist.
As the Government continues to look at whether a Graduated Driving Licence should be introduced in the UK Co-op is launching a T-Plate Initiative to help young drivers feel safer on the roads once they have passed their test.
The T-plate looks similar to an ‘L’ or a ‘P’ plate, and will indicate to other road users that the vehicle is fitted with a black box and so that driver will be driving safely, to the speed limit and in line with the law - something that every driver should do, regardless of the type of insurance cover they have.
The insurer will roll out thousands of plates in the coming months. It's being backed by road safety charity Brake and RED driving school.