Men get 100 lines for ignoring rules of the road
British roads may be covered in them, but only 1% of drivers are able to correctly identify four of the most common lines on UK roads. While one third of women (33%) never disobey a road marking they recognise, over three quarters of men (78%) admit to flouting the rules of the road, according to new research out today* from Sheilas' Wheels - the major new car insurance brand for women.
There are an estimated 373,000 miles of lines on UK roads**, comprising 31 distinct types of lines - each with its own rules and restrictions as described by the Highway Code. The Sheilas' Wheels 'Marking and Parking Survey' today reveals that only 1% of drivers claim they recognise and understand all of them, while 68% of drivers believe they can only recognise 'about half or less'.
Alarmingly, the survey suggests that some of the most common and important road markings are not recognised by millions of drivers. When asked to identify the four road markings which indicate 'Warning of 'Give Way' just ahead', 'Give way to traffic on a major road', 'No loading or unloading at any time' and 'No stopping at any time', only 1% of respondents identified all four correctly while 76% of drivers got a least three wrong***.
The survey also investigated which types of drivers are perceived as most likely to flout lines and road markings by parking, pulling out or overtaking illegally. 'Men in white vans' and 'men in sports cars' were cited as the most line-blind drivers, while 'family drivers' were seen as the least likely to break the Highway Code. Another finding casts light on why this might be: over 90% of drivers admitted to having hardly ever opened their Highway Code since passing their driving test.
More findings from the Sheilas' Wheels research include:
Flouting the rules
- 84% of women think men are more likely to ignore road markings when driving, overall three quarters of all drivers - including men - believe male drivers are the worst offenders (72%).
- 64% of women claim to have never parked illegally.
- Yellow lines are the most disobeyed road marking, 29% of drivers say they pay no attention to single yellow lines and a quarter of drivers admit to parking on double yellow lines.
Jacky Brown, spokeswoman for Sheilas' Wheels said: "There are over 370,000 miles of lines on the road and they play a crucial role in keeping drivers safe. This poll shows that women lead the way when it comes to respecting the rules of the road. This is backed up by the latest Home Office conviction statistics which show that women are responsible for only 21% of obstruction, waiting and parking offences of offences in the UK****."
"We urge all drivers to be observant when out and about in their cars. If they spot lines or markings they don't understand they need to dust down their copy of the Highway Code and refresh their memory."
Notes to editors:
* ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 700 adults with a full driving licence from its online panel between 12-14 May 2006 on behalf of Sheilas' Wheels.
** Highways agency and Sabre as of 23 May 2006
*** Lines test (see www.gap3.com/lines for a picture of the four common road markings)
Q1) Only 12% of drivers could recognise the white triangle painted on the road that represents, 'Warning of 'Give Way' just ahead'.
Q2) 15% of drivers could recognise the dotted double line that represents, 'Give way to traffic on a major road'.
Q3) 21% of drivers could recognise the double yellow lines on the kerb that represents, 'No loading or unloading at any time'.
Q4) 42% of drivers could recognise the two red lines that represents, 'No stopping at any time'.
**** Page 57 of http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs06/hosb0506supp.pdf (598k)
Press contacts:
Laura Parsons, Public Relations Officer, Sheilas' Wheels:01737 641304
(laura.parsons@esure.com)
Niki Bolton, Public Relations Manager, Sheilas' Wheels:01737 235070
(niki.bolton@esure.com)
Asia Manzoor, Communications Officer, Sheilas' Wheels: 01737 641305
(asia.manzoor@esure.com)
About Sheilas' Wheels:
Sheilas' Wheels launched in October 2005 to offer women drivers cheaper car insurance and product enhancements including £300 handbag cover - for bags stolen from the car - competitive breakdown recovery rates, a dedicated counselling line run by trained professionals and a network of female-friendly repairers.
Customer contact number: 0800 085 6919.
Website: www.ilovesheilas.com
