Law-abiding drivers bullied into speeding

Leading car insurer Direct Line is calling for a fundamental change in driver behaviour following the results of an in-depth study, commissioned with TRL (Transport Research Laboratory). The study concludes that motorists adhering to the Highway Code are effectively bullied into speeding by other motorists who will tailgate in an attempt to force the other motorist to go faster. The evidence showed a fourfold increase in tailgating incidents when motorists were driving according to the official rules of the road.

The observational study compared the behaviour of motorists driving in their ‘normal' style to their behaviour if they followed the Highway Code. At the same time it monitored the response of other motorists to the differing driving styles and behaviours.

The results found that 93 per cent of the motorists under observation were tailgated by other road users when driving in accordance to the Highway Code, while just 47 per cent were tailgated when driving in their usual style. The study also revealed that 40 per cent of drivers following the Highway Code were either over or undertaken by other motorists.

Worryingly it is motorists who drive safely by sticking to the speed limits, such as novice drivers and parents with small children, who are likely to be most vulnerable to bullying behaviour. The study showed an increased use of the rear-view mirror and raised heart rates by these drivers when tailgated, suggesting that many drivers become stressed and emotionally upset as a result, which in turn can lead to an increased risk of accidents.

Tailgating is directly responsible for approximately seven per cent of UK road traffic accidents.

Maggie Game, Head of Car Insurance at Direct Line, comments: "Drivers need to understand that the increased stress caused as a result of tailgating can lead to volatile situations on the road and that tailgating is responsible for approximately seven per cent of road traffic accidents in the UK.

"By driving less erratically, with fewer gear changes, rapid accelerations and decelerations, the average journey time is eight per cent faster overall. So, improving driving habits could actually save time and money as well as lives."

Road rage

However it is not just tailgating that is the outlet for motorists' frustrations on the roads. During the 15 hours of monitored drives whilst following the Highway Code, the study recorded six instances of direct conflict with other road users. TRL suggests that the number of instances in an unmonitored scenario is likely to be much higher.

When asked about how they respond to annoying behaviour by other drivers, motorists' responses range from either direct aggression, such as car vandalism and confronting the other driver, to indirect aggressive acts such as cutting in, ‘brake testing', and indirect aggressive gestures. One driver even admitted to carrying a baseball bat in his car in case another driver infuriated him.

Dr Nick Reed, Senior Human Factors Researcher, TRL, commented on the findings: "From our research it appears that although drivers state that tailgating is one of the most annoying driving habits, it is a very common feature of driving today as 90 per cent of motorists were witnessed tailgating our test drivers whilst they were driving to strict Highway Code guidelines. However, it is possible that it is so commonplace that it has become ingrained in driver behaviour, as many of our test drivers also tailgated once they were free to drive ‘normally'.

"Causes for tailgating may be ascribed to a number of factors, from drivers being unaware of their own unsafe driving behaviour, to frustration with the lead vehicle for driving at the national speed limit and is therefore an attempt to speed them up. It's also possible the current two-second rule could be encouraging it, as many drivers may find other cars pulling in between them and the car in front when leaving a two second gap. This in turn, may cause frustration and discourages drivers to keep their distance. As a result, tailgating may become the norm."