A big variety of drivers don’t present satisfactory house when following learner drivers, in response to latest analysis carried out by the AA Driving Faculty. The survey revealed that 13% of drivers admitted to not leaving ample house 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 conduct in comparison with their older counterparts. Particularly, fewer younger drivers report leaving additional house 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, nearly half (49%) of drivers admitted they’d be prone to overtake a learner, making it the area with the best incidence of this conduct.
The AA Driving Faculty additionally explored driver attitudes in direction of newly certified drivers displaying P plates. Practically a 3rd (28%) of drivers admitted to not leaving additional house 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’d be extra prone to tailgate somebody | 2 | 1 |
| I’d be extra possible to provide method to somebody | 67 | 45 |
| I’d be extra prone to change path to keep away from somebody | 18 | 6 |
| I’m extra prone to drive slower if behind somebody | 17 | 12 |
| I depart more room in entrance if following somebody | 89 | 72 |
| I get impatient following somebody | 14 | 7 |
| I’d be extra prone to overtake somebody | 25 | 15 |
| I’d be much less possible to provide method to somebody | 10 | 7 |
Camilla Benitz, Managing Director of AA Driving Faculty, expressed concern over the findings: “It’s alarming that so many drivers don’t give learners the respect they deserve once 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 assessments.”
Benitz emphasised the significance of persistence and understanding from different street customers, noting that “a bit of additional room will help ease the stress on a brand new or learner driver, in addition to giving you extra space and time to react ought to they do one thing surprising.”
Regardless of these issues, the survey additionally highlighted optimistic behaviors, with two-thirds of drivers indicating they’d give method to learner drivers.
The AA Driving Faculty’s findings echo the same 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 schooling round secure driving practices, notably in relation to inexperienced drivers.
Based on Rule 217 of the Freeway Code, drivers are suggested to be notably affected person with learner and inexperienced drivers, as they is probably not as adept at anticipating and responding to occasions on the street (see ‘Security code for brand new drivers’).
