A major variety of drivers don’t present enough 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 ample area in entrance of them when trailing a automotive displaying L plates, with 2% confessing to tailgating learners.
The findings spotlight that youthful drivers usually tend to have interaction on this dangerous conduct in comparison with their older counterparts. Particularly, fewer younger drivers report leaving additional area when following a learner, and they’re extra susceptible 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, nearly half (49%) of drivers admitted they’d be more likely to overtake a learner, making it the area with the best incidence of this conduct.
The AA Driving Faculty additionally explored driver attitudes in the direction of newly certified drivers displaying P plates. Almost a 3rd (28%) of drivers admitted to not leaving additional 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 doubtless to offer method 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 extra space 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 doubtless to offer method 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 not too long ago handed their exams.”
Benitz emphasised the significance of endurance and understanding from different street customers, noting that “a bit of additional room can assist ease the strain 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 issues, the survey additionally highlighted constructive behaviors, with two-thirds of drivers indicating they’d give method to learner drivers.
The AA Driving Faculty’s findings echo an identical survey performed 5 years in the past, indicating that attitudes in the 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 protected 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 is probably not as adept at anticipating and responding to occasions on the street (see ‘Security code for brand new drivers’).
