A new study shows drivers are putting themselves at risk from preventable road accidents.
In a survey of over 1,500 British motorists by sat nav firm TomTom, 44% say they’ve had to brake sharply because of a sudden traffic jam ahead.
Nearly one in four (22%) claim the car behind has driven into the back of their vehicle when they’ve had to brake suddenly because of traffic.
With slamming on the brakes causing 7% of road accidents in the UK, it is estimated that driving too close to the car in front costs the economy just over £1 billion a year.
Whilst 58% of British drivers claim they always leave the required stopping distance between their car and the one in front, only 44% knew the correct distance at 60 mph (240 feet) – with 56% either under-estimating it or admitting they didn’t know.
Awareness of the stopping distance at 30 mph (75 feet) was even worse, with only 35% getting it right and 65% putting themselves and others at risk by under-estimating it or not knowing.
Despite these findings, a staggering 90% think they have the necessary skills to be able to judge speed and distance accurately whilst driving.
“This new research reveals a serious issue that we aim to address with our technology,” said a TomTom spokesman. “Our traffic information has become so accurate that we can now pinpoint the precise location of a traffic jam.
“On our new GO range we have developed a Jam Ahead Warning that shows drivers clearly where a jam starts and crucially alerts them to slow down if they are travelling too fast.”
The average daily total jam length across the UK in September is 248 miles – 35% worse than in the holiday month of August.
Bill - 04/09/2013 15:13
Its the standard of driving that's at issue, drivers not looking far enough ahead. Plan for what you can see, what you can't see and what you can reasonably expect. always be able to stop in the distance seen to be clear. I am all for new technology, but it just makes drivers lazier. Improve the driving not the technology