A major variety of drivers don’t present satisfactory area when following learner drivers, in keeping with latest analysis carried out by the AA Driving College. The survey revealed that 13% of drivers admitted to not leaving adequate area in entrance of them when trailing a automotive displaying L plates, with 2% confessing to tailgating learners.
The findings spotlight that youthful drivers usually tend to interact on this dangerous habits in comparison with their older counterparts. Particularly, fewer younger drivers report leaving further area when following a learner, and they’re extra susceptible to tailgating.
Moreover, the analysis confirmed that 25% of respondents are extra inclined to overhaul a learner driver, with this tendency being extra prevalent amongst youthful drivers. In Northern Eire, virtually half (49%) of drivers admitted they’d be more likely to overtake a learner, making it the area with the very best incidence of this habits.
The AA Driving College additionally explored driver attitudes in direction of newly certified drivers displaying P plates. Almost a 3rd (28%) of drivers admitted to not leaving further area or tailgating these with P plates. Moreover, 14% of drivers confessed to getting impatient when following a learner driver, and 18% admitted to altering routes to keep away from them.
| Displaying L Plate % | Displaying P Plate % | |
| I might be extra more likely to tailgate somebody | 2 | 1 |
| I might be extra probably to provide approach to somebody | 67 | 45 |
| I might be extra more likely to change path to keep away from somebody | 18 | 6 |
| I’m extra more likely to drive slower if behind somebody | 17 | 12 |
| I depart extra space in entrance if following somebody | 89 | 72 |
| I get impatient following somebody | 14 | 7 |
| I might be extra more likely to overtake somebody | 25 | 15 |
| I might be much less probably to provide approach to somebody | 10 | 7 |
Camilla Benitz, Managing Director of AA Driving College, expressed concern over the findings: “It’s alarming that so many drivers don’t give learners the respect they deserve after they meet them on the roads. Particularly worrying is that the age group most responsible of this are those who’ve just lately handed their checks.”
Benitz emphasised the significance of persistence and understanding from different street customers, noting that “a bit of additional room will help ease the strain on a brand new or learner driver, in addition to giving you extra space and time to react ought to they do one thing sudden.”
Regardless of these considerations, the survey additionally highlighted optimistic behaviors, with two-thirds of drivers indicating they’d give approach to learner drivers.
The AA Driving College’s findings echo an identical survey carried out 5 years in the past, indicating that attitudes in direction of learner drivers haven’t considerably improved over time. The analysis serves as a reminder of the necessity for continued consciousness and training round secure driving practices, notably in relation to inexperienced drivers.
In keeping with Rule 217 of the Freeway Code, drivers are suggested to be notably affected person with learner and inexperienced drivers, as they will not be as adept at anticipating and responding to occasions on the street (see ‘Security code for brand new drivers’).
