More education on motorway driving, says Direct Line

Direct Line, the UK’s largest car insurer, is calling for changes to the driving test to include education on motorway driving due to the number of accidents involving heavy goods vehicles (HGV).

Accidents involving HGVs are becoming more common with statistics showing a 19 per cent increase year on year.

Direct Line’s findings indicate a lack of driver education as one of the main causes of accidents with lorries. One in five (18 per cent) motorists rush to overtake lorries because they feel intimidated and don’t know how to adapt their driving around bigger vehicles.

This lack of confidence is causing a serious problem on the UK roads. Government data shows there were more than 6,000 accidents involving HGVs in 2003 (the most recent year that figures are available for), resulting in the deaths of 166 motorists and close to 8,000 casualties.

Two million drivers (seven per cent) admit that they are completely clueless about how to drive around large vehicles and seven in 10 (70 per cent) motorists would welcome driving test reforms to include training on how to drive around lorries and other large vehicles.

The most common way of reacting towards lorries is hesitating around the vehicle (21 per cent).

The present practical driving test does not include driving on the motorway at all and it is up to the driving test examiners discretion as to whether learners are tested on dual carriageways.

Direct Line Motor spokesperson, Emma Holyer said: "More than a quarter (28 per cent) of UK motorists don’t like driving on the motorway - and encountering large vehicles at high speed simply reinforces this anxiety. Indecisive driving increases the risk of accidents – and we would urge nervous motorists to take extra driving lessons or take an advanced driving test to help build up their confidence.

"Direct Line is calling on the Driving Standards Agency to ensure the driving test always include motorway driving in a bid to reduce the number of fatalities on the nation’s roads."

Further findings from the research include:

One in five (22 per cent) motorists feel nervous driving alongside HGVs – a figure that rises to almost a third (31 per cent) among female drivers
Similarly four in 10 drivers (39 per cent) feel stressed and uncomfortable overtaking a heavy vehicles on a motorway
one in 10 (13 per cent) drivers worry about being pulled in by the draught created when passing big vehicles at speed
3% of drivers admit to a complete loss of concentration when driving near lorries
Motorists who are concerned about their driving could also take the Pass Plus test. This one-day course is designed by the Driving Standards Agency, insurers and the driving instruction industry and helps motorists drive with more confidence.
As well as improving driving skills, insurers offer a substantial first year discount for those who have taken the test. Direct Line offers 17 - 20 year olds a 20% discount, 21 - 24 year olds a 30% discount and 25 year olds and above will receive a 40% discount.

Direct Line also offers the following tips on driving safely around large vehicles:

Keep your distance. On a dry road and in good weather conditions leave at least two seconds between your vehicle and the one in front. In poor visibility leave at least a four-second gap
Frequently use your mirrors when driving on the motorway because of the higher traffic volumes
Always use the left-hand lane where possible. Remember lanes two and three are not the 'middle lane' or 'fast lane', these are overtaking lanes
Overtake or pass only on the right unless in a traffic jam
Take special care when joining a motorway. You must give way to motorway traffic
Avoid switching lanes suddenly and always indicate when changing lane