• B30 Bio-diesel warning
• GETTING TO THE POINTS
• Pre-Budget Report Comment
• BUMPER CARS
• I LIKE DRIVING IN MY CAR… (ON MY OWN)
• HARD DAYS LIGHT
• ANIMAL TRAGIC
• FUEL’S GOLD
• SEEING ‘RED’ OVER HIGH FUEL COSTS
• DRIVING “CONDITIONS”
• MANY HAPPY RETURNS?
• KICKING THE CO2 HABIT
• ‘GREEN’ FINGERS
• FROM AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TO GROUND TRAFFIC CONTROL
• CULTURE SHOCK
• DON’T DRIVE DROWSY
• ‘FOLLOW THAT STAR!’
• PULLING POWER
• The Darling Budget of March - 08

• Courtesy Cars - March 08

• Green Survey - Feb 08
• New congestion charge angers industry - Feb 08
• Midlands Excellence Award win - Jan 2008

Courtesy Cars - March 08

Bad manners or discourtesy behind the wheel are driving most of us to distraction according to a new survey* by leading fleet management company Masterlease. 63 per cent of drivers questioned, felt that a lack of courtesy was the most frustrating behaviour displayed by fellow drivers in the morning rush hour.

The drive to work is a journey that the vast percentage of the population makes every day.  However the survey reveals that this is one of the most stressful times of the day and can leave drivers in a state of angst due to the behaviour of fellow road users.

The survey was carried out by Masterlease to find out the most annoying and dangerous habits drivers have that gets the blood boiling first thing in the morning.  Whilst these practices mean that other drivers are left disgruntled, it may also be a case of breaking the law.  Erratic and dangerous driving can lead to a prosecution under the Road Traffic Act resulting in financial penalties and endorsements on a licence.

Driving stereotypes came under a lot of criticism with white van men and boy racers being the obvious targets for people to aim their angst at.  Excessive or lack of speed ranked highly as being the cause of complaints amongst 60 per cent of those surveyed.  Both traits are linked to a higher accident rate and can cause frustration on the roads. 

Drivers that were distracted by performing some other activity behind the wheel were a hazard that was flagged up by 32 per cent of road users.  Texting, fixing make-up and eating or drinking were all common complaints and carry serious penalties. One specific complaint involved a driver witnessing someone taking out their hair rollers whilst making the morning commute.

There has been growing support for drivers to face stiffer penalties for complacent driving.  Whilst points and fines are regarded as the norm, custodial sentences can be issued to those who flaunt the law.

Gavin Jones, accident and rental service manager at Masterlease explains: "Driving to work is a dangerous time to be on the roads; often it coincides with school openings and is the busiest time to be in a car.   Such habits that were noted may cause a few expletives, and hand gestures, on the way to work but actually have more serious ramifications in terms of incidents and injuries.”

The top ten driver complaints were:

1)     Lack of courtesy/bad manners

2)     Excessive speed

3)     Stereotypes - ‘white van men’, ‘boy-racers’

4)     Lack of road awareness/how to drive

5)     Lack of indication

6)     Distracted drivers due to phones, eating, drinking, changing radio

7)     Sudden braking or braking for no reason

8)     Indecisive drivers

9)     Middle lane hoggers

10)  Parking issues.

Gavin Jones concludes: "Whilst every driver has their own bug-bears that frustrate them, all of these driving habits can cause accidents and lead to possible convictions.  The message behind this survey should be for drivers to re-evaluate their own conduct behind the wheel.  The only actions that a driver has influence over are their own, these findings should serve as a reminder to take stock when on the road and try to be more courteous and calm when driving”.

* Survey of 100 drivers.