School run drivers voted worse than ‘white van man’ 

Motorists’ stereotypes about other road users are causing erratic driving behaviour on UK roads, according to new research from Direct Line.

The research revealed that British drivers tend to judge other motorists by the types of vehicles they are at the wheel of before seeing them drive.  Almost three quarters (73 per cent) of motorists admit to behaving differently depending on who is in front of them.

Common ways of reacting included driving aggressively (11 per cent), driving slowly (22 per cent), refusing to give way (11 per cent) and driving badly to deliberately irritate (four per cent) in a conscious attempt to aggravate drivers of specific cars.

The survey interviewed motorists nation-wide about who they believed were the worst motorists in the UK and surprisingly school run drivers (18 per cent) were voted the worst by almost one in five drivers.  They were followed by ‘white van man’ (17 per cent) and taxi drivers (14 per cent) in positions two and three respectively.

The top five most annoying habits cited were:
1. Driving rudely (i.e. tailgating, refusing to let other drivers out)
2. Driving carelessly
3. Repeatedly switching lane to find the quickest route
4. Intimidating behaviour (i.e. flashing to get past, shouting etc)
5. Excessive speeding

The Direct Line research shows these misconceptions are unjust as these road users who are perceived to be poor drivers, display some of the most polite behaviour on the roads.

School run drivers, believed to be the most careless behind the wheel (69 per cent), are far more likely to stick to the speed limits (29 per cent) than any other vehicle on the road.

Likewise, despite their aggressive reputation, taxi drivers are the most altruistic drivers in the UK.  Almost half (48 per cent) of cabbies would stop to help a motorist in trouble, compared to the national average of 34 per cent.

Similarly, often maligned as a menace on the roads, white van drivers are far more likely to thank motorists for giving way (23 per cent) than any other road user.

 Direct Line’s Motor spokeswoman, Emma Holyer, said:
““It is sometimes easy to let our misconceptions get in the way and take to driving in an aggressive manner simply because we don’t want other motorists to get the better of us.  However this research shows driver stereotypes are more fiction than fact and we should try to be courteous to all motorists – no matter what they are driving.”  
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Notes to Editors:

Direct Line Insurance plc, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.  Calls may be recorded.  Conditions apply.

THE TOP FIVE WORST DRIVERS ON THE ROAD (according to drivers)

1. School run drivers
2. White van drivers
3. Taxi drivers
4. 4 by 4 drivers
5. Motorcyclists / Lorry drivers (joint fifth)

THE TOP FIVE ALTRUISTIC DRIVERS ON THE ROAD 

1. Taxi drivers
2. White van drivers
3. Prestige motor driver
4. Work commuter
5. Travelling sales person

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