Motorists fear rusty drivers raising car insurance premiums

Posted :29-03-2006

Out-of-practice motorists bear the brunt of British drivers' ire, with more than 60 per cent of UK motorists favouring a plan to make all out-of-practice motorists to retake their driving test before getting back behind the wheel.

According to research from car insurer Zurich, 32 per cent of British motorists have taken an extended break from driving, resulting in an estimated 335,000 additional accidents.

And with each accident costing on average £652 to repair, the significance of comprehensive car insurance is evident.

Out-of-practice drivers have as a result earned a bad reputation among other road users, with 62 per cent of UK driving licence holders favouring changes to the law to force out-of-practice motorists to retake their driving test before getting back behind the wheel.

However, many more people were simply in favour of out-of-practice drivers needing to take refresher courses before driving again, with 87 per cent of people supporting this view.

Maria Wyatt, spokesperson for Zurich's Personal Insurance business, said: "This research indicates that accidents caused by drivers that have had long breaks from the road are costing a huge sum in repairs and are consequently pushing up premiums.

"It also seems that the British public would like to see a new law enforced - one that re-tests motorists whose driving skills may have deteriorated due to their absence from the roads, as they are not only costing drivers money, but also potentially posing a significant danger to themselves and others.

"We're supportive of measures that result in making our roads a safer place, and one suggestion is to incorporate a refresher test in to the Road Safety Bill. This could positively address and change the issue of the dangers posed by lapsed drivers."

An extended break from driving affects women motorists more severely than men, with 44 per cent of women claiming made them less confident, compared to just 19 per cent of men.


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