- One in five men never feel safe when driving (24%), compared to one in 10 women (11%)
- Over half (59%) of Brits have had at least one accident on the roads
- Men are 10% more likely than women to be involved in an accident
New research from leading price comparison site, MoneySuperMarket, reveals that the majority of Brits (71%) believe that other road users could do more to improve their driver safety.
With over 1,700 fatalities on the road from September 2016 to September 2017 alone, MoneySuperMarket reveals how smarter driving technology could help cut down costs and improve driver safety.
The research found that over half (55%) of drivers did not pass their test first time and those who took more attempts to pass went on to have more accidents. In fact, those who took five or more attempts to pass are nearly 1.5 times more likely to have been involved in an accident than the average.
The research also found that UK drivers on average rate themselves a confident eight out of ten on the safety of their own driving. This is despite 35% of those who rated themselves a six or above having been involved in two or more accidents. While confidence remains high, weather conditions were a primary concern when it came to safety and driving (57%) followed by driving at night (30%) and driving on the motorway (22%). Those over 55, in particular, felt less safe driving through severe weather (67%).
Some smarter driving technology methods, such as reverse cameras, can help to improve the view of the road and the space around, reducing the number of accidents on the road and injuries or exterior damage made while parking or pulling out. Despite the advantages, the research found that only 17% of Brits use reverse cameras.
Other examples of smart driving technology include:
- Dash cam – The most common device among drivers due cost and ease of use, dash cams provide a 24hr recording of the front view of your car. This can be invaluable in insurance claims purposes, as well as encouraging the driver to show greater care in their driving. They cost between £20 and £190.
- Collision alerts – Usually a part of the vehicle sensor system or rear-view camera, collision alerts (sometimes referred to as automatic emergency braking) function as a prevention device. In the event of a potential collision, this autonomous system can intervene by slowing or even stopping the car..
- Black box – Telematics, more commonly known as a black box, is a system that monitors how an individual drives, with data sent to the insurance provider. The idea is that driving responsibly is rewarded with lower insurance premiums. However, although they are cost effective and can help to bring down insurance premiums, an overwhelming 64% of Brits would also not consider using ‘black box’ telematics.
Visit MoneySuperMarket for more information about the costs of smarter driving technology and how it can improve driver safety on the UK’s roads.