Kwik-Fit Says “Back-Off”

Research by Kwik-Fit(1) found that more than half (56 per cent) of UK motorists admit to driving too close to the vehicle in front – a contributory factor in 7 per cent(2) of road accidents in Britain last year. The Highway Code(3) provides clear rules on the distance that drivers should leave between themselves and the vehicle in front yet when tested, 9o per cent of motorists underestimated the distance required to stop a car at 30, 50 and 70mph.

The biggest underestimation was at 70mph where the correct figure is 96 metres. On average, motorists believed the stopping distance to be 61 metres, almost nine car lengths too short.

Kwik-Fit’s safety concerns were increased by the fact that one car in ten has a tread depth below the legal 1.6mm threshold.(4) Research(5) carried out by the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA) found that on wet roads it takes nearly 8 metres extra – almost one bus length – to stop from 50mph once tyres have worn down to 1.6mm compared to 3mm.

David White, customer service director at Kwik-Fit commented:
“The technology and stopping power of today’s cars can lull you into a false sense of security and any motorists who think they’ve forgotten recommended stopping distances should revisit the Highway Code to refresh their memory. But it’s also vital that they check the condition of their tyres. No matter how powerful your brakes or how sharp your reactions, if you’re driving on tyres that should really be in retirement it will take you longer to stop, particularly in wet and wintry conditions.” pg

Extended findings
· Britain’s most and least regular tailgaters are to be found in Scotland and Wales and West respectively.
· 61 per cent of male drivers admit to driving too close compared with 49 per cent of women. Male drivers are more likely to have a crash than females.
· 12 per cent of male drivers correctly cited the stopping distances in the Highway code compared with 7 per cent of female drivers.
· Scottish drivers have the best knowledge of the Highway Code’s stopping distances.

Regions that tailgate most regularly
1. Scotland
2. Midlands
3. North England
4. South East
5. Wales and South West

Regional understanding of stopping distances
1.
1. Scotland – 16 per cent
2. Wales and South West – 13 per cent
3. North England -13 per cent
4. Midlands- 7 per cent
5. South East – 6 per cent

Sources:

(1) Independent research amongst 1009 UK adults commissioned by Kwik-Fit in October 2006
(2) Statistic pertains to road accidents attended by the police during 2005 as registered on www.dft.gov.uk
(3) http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/09.htm
(4) Research conducted across Kwik-Fit UK centres
(5) Motor Industry Research Association – http://www.3mmtyres.co.uk/index.asp