A survey of UK motorists reveals they have a complex view of motoring issues. For the fifth year running, Admiral has surveyed more than 1,800 motorists for their opinions on the major issues they face today and produced the 2007 Admiral Annual Drivers' Survey, a copy of which is enclosed.
This year's report is the biggest yet and includes opinion and statistics on new topics such as use of 4x4 vehicles, driving tests, 'green' motoring, car jacking and the cost of insurance.
The survey reveals the average motorist deplores drink driving, often breaks the speed limit, but doesn't believe speed cameras improve road safety.
They use their car to commute to work, are concerned about the damage their car does to the environment, but don't think congestion charging is the answer.
They worry about car crime, think that insurance fraud is a genuine crime, sometimes break everyday rules of the road but find the bad habits of others irritating.
They get angry with other road users, think they are better at driving than other motorists, find driving more stressful than a year ago but could not manage without their car.
Sue Longthorn, Admiral managing director, commenting on the report, said: "Our 2007 survey has thrown up some really interesting results, and shows just how complex motorists are. Motorists have found their voice in recent years and have the potential of becoming a powerful lobbying group. Our survey gives a snapshot of what the country's 38 million motorists are thinking.
"I think the results illustrate the contradictory nature of being a motorist in Britain today; for example on the one hand they are aware of the damage driving does to the environment, but are reluctant to do anything about it. They worry about car crime, but are happy to leave personal items on show in their car."
Executive Summary
The main discoveries for each topic of the survey this year are:
Drink and drug driving
- The number of motorists who have been breathalysed is down this year, but men are still three times more likely to be breathalysed than women.
- Drink driving is considered more serious than drug possession, criminal damage and theft for at least seven out of ten motorists. Three out of ten consider it worse than physical assault.
- Fewer than 3% of people have taken illegal drugs and driven, but most still consider drink driving worse than drug driving.
Speed limits and speed cameras
- Three quarters of motorists admit they have driven over the speed limit, and 8% more men than women say they do it, indeed twice as many men than women have been caught speeding.
- 39% would be happy if the speed limit on residential roads was lowered to 20mph, while two thirds want the speed limit on motorways raising.
- Motorists are cynical about speed cameras, only 32% think they improve road safety, only 23% think the police should install more.
Car crime
- Only 6% of motorists have had their car stolen or broken into in the last year. However nearly half of motorists have been a victim of car crime at some time.
- The perception of crime is high though, 72% of motorists worry about car crime and 58% lock their doors when driving through a built up area.
- Coats, sunglasses and CDs are the items most commonly left on display in parked cars.
Public transport and the environment
- 60% of motorists drive themselves into work every day, only 14% use public transport to commute.
- Over half of motorists have used public transport in the last year, but generally see it as inconvenient or expensive.
- 57% of motorists worry about the damage their car does to the environment, 58% would even buy an electric or hybrid car, but only 31% would pay more for one.
Road tolls and congestion charging
- Only 27% think congestion charging should be rolled out to other towns and cities.
- 37% said it would make them use their car less, 24% said it would make them consider moving to another place altogether.
Insurance fraud and uninsured drivers
- Only 5% have knowingly driven a car when not insured, and only 2% would consider making a fraudulent claim.
- While 56% would report someone they knew who was regularly driving uninsured.
Laws of the road
- 59% believe they would pass their driving test if they had to sit it today, and men are more confident than women about this.
- Not using indicators and parking in a restricted area are the most commonly broken "laws".
- 23% of motorists admit they ignore the ban on using a mobile phone, but this is down from 33% last year. 91% agree with the ban.
Road rage
- 75% admit they feel angry at some time when they are driving.
- More women than men feel angry, but men are more likely to shout at other motorists.
- A third of motorists find driving more stressful than a year ago.
The cost of motoring
- 62% of motorists think direct action in protest at fuel prices is justified.
- 85% think they pay too much for fuel, and 43% think road tax is too high.
Using your car
- 35% see their car as an absolute necessity, and could never live without it. Only 5% say they could live without their car.
- On the whole men drive more miles a year than women.
Other road users
- Around of half of motorists think they drive better than average, only 1% said they drive worse than average.
- Elderly motorists were rated the worst on the road, followed by boy and girl racers.
- 82% think parents should be discouraged from driving their children to school.
- 64% think urban motorists cannot justify owning a 4x4 vehicle.
- Tailgating was named the most irritating bad habit of other motorists for the second year running.
Issue date: 13-12-07
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