A major variety of drivers don’t present ample area when following learner drivers, in keeping with latest analysis performed by the AA Driving Faculty. The survey revealed that 13% of drivers admitted to not leaving adequate area in entrance of them when trailing a automobile displaying L plates, with 2% confessing to tailgating learners.
The findings spotlight that youthful drivers usually tend to interact on this dangerous conduct in comparison with their older counterparts. Particularly, fewer younger drivers report leaving further area when following a learner, and they’re extra liable to tailgating.
Moreover, the analysis confirmed that 25% of respondents are extra inclined to overhaul a learner driver, with this tendency being extra prevalent amongst youthful drivers. In Northern Eire, virtually half (49%) of drivers admitted they’d be more likely to overtake a learner, making it the area with the very best incidence of this conduct.
The AA Driving Faculty additionally explored driver attitudes in direction of newly certified drivers displaying P plates. Almost a 3rd (28%) of drivers admitted to not leaving further area or tailgating these with P plates. Moreover, 14% of drivers confessed to getting impatient when following a learner driver, and 18% admitted to altering routes to keep away from them.
| Displaying L Plate % | Displaying P Plate % | |
| I’d be extra more likely to tailgate somebody | 2 | 1 |
| I’d be extra seemingly to offer technique to somebody | 67 | 45 |
| I’d be extra more likely to change path to keep away from somebody | 18 | 6 |
| I’m extra more likely to drive slower if behind somebody | 17 | 12 |
| I depart more room in entrance if following somebody | 89 | 72 |
| I get impatient following somebody | 14 | 7 |
| I’d be extra more likely to overtake somebody | 25 | 15 |
| I’d be much less seemingly to offer technique to somebody | 10 | 7 |
Camilla Benitz, Managing Director of AA Driving Faculty, expressed concern over the findings: “It’s alarming that so many drivers don’t give learners the respect they deserve once they meet them on the roads. Particularly worrying is that the age group most responsible of this are those who’ve lately handed their exams.”
Benitz emphasised the significance of endurance and understanding from different highway customers, noting that “a bit of additional room can assist ease the stress on a brand new or learner driver, in addition to giving you extra space and time to react ought to they do one thing sudden.”
Regardless of these considerations, the survey additionally highlighted optimistic behaviors, with two-thirds of drivers indicating they’d give technique to learner drivers.
The AA Driving Faculty’s findings echo an identical survey performed 5 years in the past, indicating that attitudes in direction of learner drivers haven’t considerably improved over time. The analysis serves as a reminder of the necessity for continued consciousness and schooling round secure driving practices, significantly in relation to inexperienced drivers.
In accordance with Rule 217 of the Freeway Code, drivers are suggested to be significantly affected person with learner and inexperienced drivers, as they will not be as adept at anticipating and responding to occasions on the highway (see ‘Security code for brand spanking new drivers’).
