Hell is Other Drivers States Latest Questionnaire

Released on: January 27, 2011, 10:09 am
Author: Helen Young
Industry: Travel

New national survey shows that British drivers are scared on the road because of road rage, violence and dangerous driving

75% of drivers find driving in the UK stressful or makes them angry

Half of motorists find British roads scary to drive on

Almost one in three drivers have been involved in road rage incidents

75% of people think that harsher penalties should be introduced for drivers who drive dangerously

27 January 2011 – Half of all UK drivers are scared to drive on the roads due to other drivers acting dangerously, despite numerous government campaigns on road safety, and nearly one in three people have been a road rage victim, according to the latest survey which questioned nearly 2,000 people.

The survey questioned people in Britain on their motorist and road experiences, and it found that 75% of people get angry and stressed because other people's hazardous driving styles, said the conductors of the experiment Carrentals.co.uk, the UK's leading car hire comparator.

It's no wonder that people are stressed as 92% of people said they saw other drivers going over the 30mph speed limit; 80% were seen getting ahead on the motorway by weaving; and 77% of people saw drivers going over 70mph and tailgating on motorways.

Add in the fact that half of the respondents had seen cars driving up the wrong way of a one-way street; and reversing on a motorway had been seen by 17% of people, showing that there is a huge risk to other motorists.

Incidents of road rage from the survey showed that people were verbally intimidated, had their vehicle attacked, forced off the road, were pursued by another driver, and physical violence, which included bullying, kicking and punching. Also, 6% of the people that responded to the survey had been car jacked or knew someone that had been car jacked.

Managing director of the car hire site Carrentals.co.uk, Gareth Robinson said:
“Although British roads are busy, the danger comes from drivers who are dangerous and behave badly. The reports of violence and intimidation is shocking and should not happen.”

In addition to the aggressive behaviour of some drivers, driving without due car and attention is another bad habit, despite the campaigns of safe driving, with 93% of people saying that they had seen other drivers watching attractive men or women while driving; using a mobile phone; drinking coffee; stopping children arguing; eating food; putting on make-up; or messing around with their radio or satellite navigation system.

Lots of the respondents (75%) said that to encourage better driving and drivers being more responsible, there should be harsher dangerous driving penalties.

Gareth went on to add, “People still put other motorists in danger, and themselves, despite the campaigns for safe driving. It's crazy to think that people are being attacked or that drivers reverse on a motorway, as these people don't realise the repercussions of their own actions.

“Road safety organisations, the government and people operating in the area have to keep showing drivers that if they drive dangerously then there is serious consequences for their actions.”

The road safety campaign – 'Hell is Other Drivers' – was launched by Carrentals.co.uk in 2010-2011, and is designed to help people be safer when driving. The site has a range of exclusive deals and advice on safe driving, which can be seen at www.carrentals.co.uk/roadsense2010.

The UK's top rental car comparator Carrentals.co.uk compares prices from Alamo, Sixt, Auto Europe, Budget, Holiday Autos and many more.

All offers are available at www.carrentals.co.uk/roadsense2010
/ends.

* Note to editors – case studies available

About Carrentals.co.uk
Carrentals.co.uk was launched in February 2003 and grew to become one of the UK's leading online car hire companies by 2006.

In 2007 the company re-launched its site to create the first major online price comparator in the travel industry. Using the latest technology the Carrentals.co.uk site now searches up to 50 different car hire websites, providing an impartial comparison of the best prices available in over 10,000 locations.

Websites searched include Alamo, Auto Europe, Budget, Ebookers, Hertz, Holiday Autos, Opodo, Sixt and Thrifty, with the Carrentals.co.uk site quickly comparing prices and allowing customers to refine their search by car type.

The Carrentals.co.uk site also features over 5,000 pages of travel information in a mini-guide format.

In 2008 Carrentals.co.uk was voted Best Car Hire Website in the Travolution Awards, and in 2010 it was Highly Commended in the Best Meta-search/Price Comparison category. To book or for further information visit www.carrentals.co.uk

Media Contact
Rachel Builder, Debbie Williams & Jenny White
Context
T: 01625 511966
F: 01625 511967
carrentals@contextpr.co.uk
www.contextpr.co.uk

Contact Details: Helen Young
press@asapventures.co.uk
ASAP Ventures Ltd
www.carrentals.co.uk
0845 871 2069

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