UK: Male learner pressure and bad parental habits increasing dangerous driving says biggest ever driving instructor survey

Almost two thirds (61%) of BSM instructors believe that male learners feel more intense peer pressure to pass their test

Seven out of 10 (69%) instructors think that male learners have more confidence in their abilities

Less than a third (29%) of instructors believe they pass their test more quickly than females Two thirds (68%) of those surveyed note that female learners tend to take a more studious approach to lessons than their male counterparts.

A new report released today reveals a startling gender divide in the pressures felt by learner drivers. According to BSM's L-Plate Britain report, the biggest ever study of UK driving instructors, 61% believe that male learners feel more intense peer pressure to pass their test, resulting in more dangerous driving once they get on the road.

The L-Plate Britain figures are also brought home by the fact that of the 4,028 drivers aged 24 and under killed or seriously injured in 2005, nearly three quarters (74.4%) were male.*

Based on the views of nearly 600 BSM driving instructors, L-Plate Britain also reveals misplaced confidence levels among males. Although seven out of 10 (69%) instructors told researchers that male learners have more confidence in their abilities, less than a third (29%) of instructors believe they pass their test more quickly than females.

The report also shows different attitudes towards learning, with two thirds (68%) of those surveyed noting that female learners tend to take a more studious approach to lessons than their male counterparts. For example, although nine out of 10 (88%) instructors believe that practice with parents can complement professional lessons and 84% think that parental lessons ensure students pass more quickly, males are still less likely to practice with parents. In fact, a third of instructors (31%) told researchers that females are more likely to practice outside of professional lessons than male learners.

However, although instructors overwhelmingly admit that parental lessons can help learners progress more quickly, 79% believe learners can pick up bad habits from their parents. As a result, nine out of 10 (88%) instructors would recommend that parents take refresher lessons prior to taking their children out and over half (56%) would like to see such lessons become mandatory.

According to the L-Plate Britain report, the top five bad habits picked up from parents are:

Not checking mirrors
Crossing hands while steering
Speeding
Tail-gating
Answering mobile phones.

Such unsafe driving practice can lead to fines, penalty points and, more alarmingly loss of life, as DfT statistics** show that 26% of fatalities amongst young drivers, for example, are caused by excessive speed.

Mike Hutter, managing director of BSM, comments: "A carefully balanced mix of professional training and private practice can obviously improve the chances of passing the test and create more safe and responsible young drivers. However, the most important thing is that learners are taught to learn to drive for life, not just to pass their test. This is clearly more challenging for those young people who are facing increased pressure to pass or those that are being taught bad habits by their parents."

Source: www.aviva.com