Disrespectful driving can be fatal

by Gill Montia

Story link: Disrespectful driving can be fatal

A new report from AXA claims that 800 lives a year are being lost on Britain’s roads through accidents caused by road rage, or disrespectful driving.

The insurer also calculates that £945 million could be saved in premiums if UK motorists rid themselves of aggression and general disrespect of their fellow drivers.

According to a nationwide survey, almost four in ten drivers involved in accidents were frightened or angered by other drivers in the critical moments before a crash.

Of those, more than 20% said inconsiderate driving took the form of speeding; almost 25% said others were driving erratically and more than one in five said another driver had been ignoring road rules and signs.

According to motoring psychologist, Peter Marsh, disrespectful, aggressive driving can be the cause of an accident in itself.

In addition, the negative emotions created by this type of driving can cause other drivers to become irrational and make mistakes they would otherwise avoid.

He comments: “Our cars may be safer than before and our roads increasingly designed to reduce accidents but unless we recognise and deal with the strong emotional aspects of motoring, the factors that give rise to uncharacteristic belligerence and sheer bloody-mindedness, we may never be able to reduce much further the number of people who die unnecessarily on Britain’s highways.”

With motor insurance premiums rising rapidly, AXA suggest that around £35 per premium currently pays for accidents caused by disrespectful driving.