So you think you can drive? 76 per cent of experienced motorists failed their driving test in a new study

•  Drivers who failed, recorded an average of three major faults – one fail alone would have resulted in a fail for novice drivers
•  Study highlights the dangers of complacency behind the wheel
   

More than three quarters (76 per cent) of experienced motorists would fail their driving test if they took it today, reveals a new study of 50 experienced motorists1.

The study, by Direct Line Car Insurance, found that drivers who failed their test recorded on average three serious or dangerous (major) faults, with one participant receiving 10 major faults. Under normal test conditions, drivers awarded a major fault (behaviour deemed to be of potential or actual risk to the examiner, public or property) would fail their test instantly.  The average number of minor faults recorded by those who failed was 16, with one driver receiving 42 minors.  To pass your driving test motorists need to record 15 or fewer minors (driving faults that are considered not potentially dangerous).

Amongst the more serious faults, one motorist drove at 40mph in a 30mph zone, and another failed to see the curb when doing a three-point turn. One driver even failed to spot a pedestrian by not properly checking their blind spot, forcing the pedestrian to move back onto the pavement.

Source: Direct Line Car Insurance

The vast majority of drivers were awarded minor faults for a lack of concentration behind the wheel and a lack of control over the vehicle, most commonly using the wrong gear and failing to check their mirrors. One driver received 14 minor points for misuse of gears.

Complacent driving and a lack of concentration at the wheel could be caused by an over-reliance on in-car driving aids, such as parking sensors or blind spot monitors.  Further research by Direct Line amongst 4,000 UK adults reveals that more than two thirds of UK drivers (68 per cent) rely on driving aids behind the wheel, with almost half (48 per cent) of motorists stating that they use a sat nav.

A previous study3 found that UK motorists who use a sat nav don’t look at the rest of the road for 22 per cent of their journey. This could indicate that the prevalence of sat navs may be one of the reasons why so many of the drivers who participated in the study received points for poor observation and speeding.

The survey also found that parking sensors were the third most commonly used driving aid, with a quarter (25 per cent) of those surveyed saying they use parking sensors. Drivers’ over-reliance on car parking sensors could also be one of the reasons why a high proportion of test participants failed due to poor observation when reverse parking.

Source: Direct Line Car Insurance

Rob Miles, director of Motor at Direct Line commented: “While drivers gain experience with age, it’s easy to pick up bad habits that could be potentially dangerous and put other road users at risk. Driving aids are becoming increasingly common and when used correctly, can result in a safer, more comfortable driving experience. However, it’s important that drivers don’t rely too heavily on these aids, as it can be to the detriment of both their overall ability and concentration on the road ahead.”

“Our study showed that a significant number of faults were caused by a lack of attention to detail. It is important that every time a driver gets behind the wheel they remain alert and focused for the whole journey, otherwise they risk injuring themselves and others.”

Feedback from driving instructors:

Example One:
Female, aged 46
Passed driving test in 1985
4 majors, 21 minors
"her observations were non-existent...positioning occasionally on the wrong side of the road when clear…she came into the path of an oncoming vehicle as she was in the centre of the road (no reason for it, the road was clear)"

Example Two:
Male, aged 61
Passed driving test in 1971
2 majors, 14 minors
on more than one occasion, [the driver] drove at 38-40 mph in a 30 mph limit

Example Three:
Female, aged 77
Passed driving test in 1974
3 majors, 22 minors
"never checked her blind spot and moved off when a pedestrian was starting to cross the road"

ENDS

Notes to Editors

₁ Direct Line Car Insurance commissioned RED Driving School to conduct mock driving tests with 50 experienced drivers in eight locations across Great Britain. The participating drivers had no prior practice / training. As such, the results were not recorded by the DVLA and will have no effect on their licence.

₂ Direct Line commissioned Opinium research to interview a UK nationally representative sample of 4,007 people, of which 71 per cent were motorists, 7th – 10th and 18th – 21st March 2014.

₃ Bunnyfoot, psychologists & human-computer interface experts, conducted research using eye-tracking technology, on behalf of Direct Line amongst a representative sample of 100 UK drivers in locations including London, Sheffield and Oxford in August 2012.

For further information, please contact:

Kia McLean

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Tel: 0207 282 1092

E-mail: Kia.McLean@citigatedr.co.uk

Vicky Bristow

Direct Line Press Office

Tel: 01239 637377

Email: Vicky.Bristow@directlinegroup.co.uk

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line 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.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com