Britain's passive passengers turning a blind eye to dangerous driving

• One in 10 (10 per cent) passengers would rather stay silent and risk their safety than tackle a driver on their dangerous driving
• More than a third (37 per cent) would not say anything if their driver was drinking alcohol at the wheel
• Almost half (45 per cent) would not speak up if the driver hit someone else’s car and drove off
• One in five (22 per cent) keep quiet to avoid an argument, prioritising keeping the peace over their own safety

One in ten UK adults (10 per cent) would not challenge dangerous driving habits when they are a passenger in a car, even if they felt that their personal safety was at risk, according to new figures released today.

The research by Privilege car insurance reveals that even in extreme circumstances, most passengers would not build up the courage to challenge a dangerous driver.  Nearly half (45 per cent of UK adults) admit that they would not intervene if a driver hit another person’s vehicle or property and drove off. Over a third (37 per cent) of passengers also said that they would turn a blind eye if the driver in question was drinking alcohol.

It seems that passengers are backwards in coming forwards with those they do not know and feel least comfortable reprimanding professional drivers. Despite their role as a ‘driver-for-hire’, more than one in 10 UK adults (12 per cent) admitted they would not question their cabbie’s conduct. Similarly, almost a fifth (17 per cent) admitted that they would not say anything to a bus driver if they felt unsafe.

Conversely, people find it easier to challenge those that they are closest to, with 93 per cent of passengers saying that they would feel comfortable criticising their partner’s driving. In the instances where partners do keep quiet, men are far more likely to do so to avoid an argument (31 per cent of men vs. 22 per cent of women).

Proving that passengers are putting manners before their own safety, when asked why they would not challenge a driver if they felt unsafe, one in five people (22 per cent) admitted that they simply want to avoid any confrontation. However, this is needlessly cautious, as the average driver (50 per cent) said that they would listen to feedback on their driving from others in their car.

Only 11 per cent of motorists said that they would ignore any concerns raised by their passengers, although an antagonistic seven per cent admitted they would amplify their dangerous driving if someone spoke up. The research also highlighted that men are twice as likely to ignore their passenger’s criticisms (14 per cent), compared to female drivers (eight per cent).

Reasons to ‘keep mum’ also varied depending on people’s relationship to the person behind the wheel. Motherly love clearly trumps common sense, as over a fifth (22 per cent) of passengers assume that everything will be okay with their mother driving, even if they felt that they were driving recklessly. UK adults also seem to worry about their job security more than their physical safety, with 23 per cent not pulling up their boss’ bad driving in case they appear rude or ungrateful.

However, there are some situations which prompted people to be more outspoken. Passengers are more likely to raise concerns if there are bad weather conditions (53 per cent). People are also more likely to be vocal if a child is travelling with them (53 per cent) with women, far more likely to speak up than men, in such a case (60 per cent of women vs. 46 per cent of men).

Charlotte Fielding, head of car insurance at Privilege said:  “Most of us are taught to adhere to a ‘my car, my rules’ mentality from a young age but, as this research suggests, this is leading people to overlook illegal or downright dangerous behaviour. While there might be a negative connotation behind the idea of a ‘backseat driver’, with many seeing them as a nagging thorn in the driver’s side, it’s clear that the UK’s passengers need to stand up for their own safety.”
 

ENDS
 

Notes to editors

Research conducted among 2008 participants from 27th to 30th May 2014, weighted to nationally representative criteria
 

For further information please contact:

Chloe French

Media Relations Executive

chloe.french@directlinegroup.co.uk

01651 831 715

07770 640 865
 

Victoria Leyton/Tom Pavey-Smith

Lansons

0207 294 3602/0207 294 3606

privilege@lansons.com
 

Privilege
 

Privilege Insurance specialises in car insurance for safe drivers. It also offers home insurance and breakdown cover by phone or on-line.
 

Privilege general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
 

Privilege and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.
 

Customers can find out more about Privilege’s products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 0515 or visiting www.privilege.co.uk