Research shows most drivers blame others for incidents on the road
Motorists who rely on their basic L-test as a motoring "passport for life" are more likely to blame others when they are involved in incidents or minor accidents, according to a new study by Brunel University in West London.
The Brunel study, carried out by Prof. Neville Stanton and Dr. Guy Walker, shows that drivers who improve their abilities behind the wheel are less likely to "play the blame game" and more likely to read the road and expect the unexpected.
Nearly 70% of drivers who received advanced coaching showed significantly safer skills in a number of key areas, including cornering, gear changing, seating position, safe distances, use of mirrors and speed, according to the scientific comparison of normal and advanced drivers.
The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) commissioned the study to examine whether advanced coaching can be proven to change drivers' attitudes, skills and knowledge.
Peter Rodger, IAM Chief Examiner, said:
"This research shows that motorists who think that simply accumulating years of experience on the road is enough to improve their driving are wrong. What makes the difference is having extra coaching, just as it would be in any other activity.
"Drivers are more likely to blame chance or bad luck, if the only training they've ever had is those early driving lessons. But they're more likely to take responsibility for avoiding and responding to incidents if they've taken the trouble to try to improve their skills later in life."
In a measure of people's attitude towards whether they believe they are controlled by luck or chance, or have 'self' control over their actions - normal drivers score 60 per cent worse than drivers with advanced coaching, and show significantly more of the attitude that previous research has shown to be implicated in involvement in fatal accidents.
Professor Neville Stanton of Brunel University said:
"There were 207,000 accidents in Great Britain in 2004, involving 281,000 casualties, according to the latest Department for Transport statistics. Whilst we have one of the best records of lowering casualties, there is still much to do. The more we can understand driver behaviour and what affects it, the better chance we have of further reducing road accidents.
"This is why we felt it was important to conduct such a rigorous study into whether ‘practice makes perfect’ in terms of ability - or whether people need further coaching to improve how they drive.
"This is the first research of its kind and the results are telling. The performance of those who did not receive coaching was erratic, but those who were coached showed marked improvements in the three main areas of driving - skills, knowledge and attitude. These three skills are interdependent - when all three are improved, a driver is likely to be safer. It’s as simple as that."
Peter Rodger added:
"The findings of this research lay to rest the old joke that advanced driving is all about where you position your hands on the steering wheel. It shows the value of lifelong learning in motoring, just as in the fields of work. All drivers should be encouraged to continue developing their skills, long after their driving test."
Academics concluded at the end of the 15 month study that:
- Driver attitudes changed with coaching - those who had received coaching were less likely to blame external factors when driving (increased accountability has been linked favourably to accident prevention)
- Coached drivers saw a marked improvement in driving skills - almost 70% of those who received coaching improved their basic driving skills (ie. speed, gears, cornering, headway, use of mirrors).
- Drivers with coaching showed a 30% increase in their knowledge, or situational awareness - i.e speed, decision-making and road features.
Source: IAM
