Motorists would make roads safer if Prime Minister for a day

American Express Motor Insurance polled 10,000 customers asking them what action they would take to improve driving if they were Prime Minister.

The top three answers were:
1. Increase police patrols
2. Improve public transport to reduce traffic
3. Improve more severe penalties for uninsured/unlicensed/untaxed motorists

The number of untaxed vehicles on the road has increased by 76% in the last two years, whilst one in 20 cars is driven without insurance. Uninsured drivers cost every insured motorist an extra £25 to £30 on their annual premium.

Joanne Field, Marketing Manager, American Express Motor Insurance: “The uninsured driver poses a risk to every insured driver – not only is there the extra premium cost, but there is the risk of being involved in an accident with them.

“Those with fully comprehensive insurance should be covered for repairs to the car. However, no claims discount could be lost and other costs like medical and legal bills may not be covered. Whilst many of our respondents felt that more severe penalties would help tackle the problem others suggested increasing fuel costs to include insurance coverage.”

The survey also asked who were the safest and most dangerous drivers on the road. Both men and women thought younger drivers were the most dangerous - but when it came to the safest drivers -the men voted for older drivers, the women voted for themselves!

However, when asked simply who were the “best” drivers on the road - men or women - whilst over a quarter of men (28%) thought women drivers were, only 26% of women drivers thought that male drivers were.

However, all parties confessed to some bad driving habits, the top five were: - Driving when:

1. Weather is bad – (90%)
2. When tired (81%)
3. Low on petrol (77%)
4. Eating (59%)
5. Using a mobile phone (47%)