Parents pass on driving habits

Drivers are strongly influenced in their habits by their years observing parents’ behaviour behind the wheel - but men’s driving traits are most dominant in influencing their offspring’s motoring peccadilloes, according to new research for car insurer, First Alternative.

First Alternative’s ‘Mum, Dad and Driving’ survey - released today - shows that over two thirds of drivers believe they have picked up their father’s habits - with crossing hands on the steering wheel topping the poll.

The research also shows that drivers are more likely to pick up bad motoring habits from their mothers with only two of the top ten maternally-learned habits relating to safe driving - compared with four out of ten from fathers. These include: checking mirrors, calmness while driving and using common sense on the road.

Reassuringly, First Alternative’s survey also showed that three quarters of parents are now more conscious of how they drive in front of their children as a result of the driving habits that they picked up from their own parents. However, a third of motorists also say they consciously drive differently to their parents because of their mother and father’s bad habits.

Colin Batabyal, Chief Executive of First Alternative said: "We don’t claim to have discovered the driving gene but it’s clear from this research that example plays a strong part in shaping people’s driving behaviour.

"It’s never too early for parents to set a good example with their driving and we believe that the more conscious parents become of the effect of their driving on their children the better. This way, two generations of drivers can potentially become safer at the same time."