Bad driving habits.

MOTORISTS WARNED OF THE DANGERS OF BAD DRIVING HABITS

19 June 2006

· 76%(1) of motorists admit to potentially dangerous behaviour when driving

· Men more prone to dangerous driving behaviour than women

· Motorists could save up to £130(2) by switching to Sainsbury’s Car Insurance

In 2005 there were an estimated 198,980(3) accidents on Britain’s roads, and looking at new research from Sainsbury’s Car Insurance, this is perhaps not surprising. The findings reveal that 76% (over 22 million motorists) have engaged in some form of potentially dangerous activity whilst driving in the last month.

Driving whilst tired is the most frequent dangerous driving habit, with 38% of motorists admitting to having done it over the past month. This is followed by eating and drinking whilst driving (31%), excessive speeding (26%) and driving ‘the morning after the night before’ (23%).

Other less obvious bad driving habits which motorists admitted to included driving in flip flops or bare feet. Indeed four million motorists said they did this last month. Additionally 1.7 million motorists admitted to texting on their phone when driving and 706,000 said they had applied make-up whilst at the wheel during May.

Richard Clark, car insurance manager, Sainsbury’s Bank said: “Motorists should think carefully about their driving habits as many may not have considered the dangers. Driving after drinking just one alcoholic drink for example. The Department of Transport(4)advises that just the one could be too much as it’s impossible to calculate your own alcohol limit.

“Another danger that many people may be unaware of are the hidden dangers that could be posed by a second-hand child car seat that has been involved in an accident, 1.3 million motorists admitted to using second-hand seats but unless they are sure of the seat’s history, ....cont/

it is impossible to know whether these are safe and still working properly.”

Sainsbury’s Car Insurance cover is one of only a few to offer new-for-old replacement child seats after an accident as a standard feature of its car insurance policy, even when there is no perceived damage.

As well as being potentially dangerous, some bad driving habits are also illegal. For instance using a mobile phone without a hands-free facility when driving. Yet over four million motorists claim to have done this in the last month.

Drivers bad habits(3)

Percentage of motorist who admitted to doing this during May

Number of motorists

Driven whilst feeling tired

38%

11,411,000

Eating/drinking whilst driving

31%

9,184,000

Excessive speeding

26%

7,919,000

Driving on ‘the morning after the night before’

23%

6,867,000

Using mobile phone that is not hands-free

14%

4,124,000

Driving wearing flip flops/no shoes

14%

4,078,000

Readinga map

11%

3,298,000

Driving too slowly

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align="center">11%

3,186,000

Driven after having an alcoholic drink

10%

2,982,000

Driving without a seat belt

10%

2,910,000

Driven a car with dirty windows where your visibility has been limited

2,742,000

Tailgating – driving to close to the car in front

2,715,000

Inflicted road rage on a fellow motorist

2,508,000

Driving whilst having a pet lose in the car

2,096,000

Texting whilst driving

1,746,000

Used a second hand child car seat

1,358,000

Driven a child under the age of seven when they were not in a child car seat

1,153,000

Driven the car without contact lenses/glasses for seeing when you need them

839,000

Applying make-up

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align="center">2%

706,000

None of these

24%

7,198,000

On a gender basis, the findings reveal that 12.7 million men have embarked on some form of dangerous activity whilst driving over the last month. This compares with 10 million women. Walesand the west saw 90% of its motorists engaging in a possibly dangerous act whilst at the wheel in the last month, which was the highest in the country. The corresponding figure for the north-west was 65%, which was the lowest in Britain.

Sainsbury’s Car Insurance offers competitive premiums and could save motorists up to £130(2). In addition to offering competitive car insurance premiums Sainsbury’s Car Insurance also offers motorists an extensive range of cover and benefits. This includes a courtesy car when using one of Sainsbury's Car Insurance’s recommended repairers (comprehensive cover only) and a no claim discount of 70% if you have not made a claim in the past five years, rising to 75% after a further five years’ claims free driving. It is also one of only a few providers to offer new-for-old replacement child car seats after an accident as a standard feature of its comprehensive policy, even when there is no perceived damage, and support and compensation if you’re a victim of car jacking or road rage.

Notes:

(1) TNS surveyed 662 GB adults aged 17+ who are car drivers between 12 – 14th May 2006.

(2) Price comparison figures based on research conducted by Consumer Intelligence, October 2005 to March 2006.

(3) According to Department for Transport Road Casualties in Great Britainprovisional estimates for 2005

(4) www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk

Sainsbury’s car insurance is arranged and administered by esure Services Limited.

Sainsburys