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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