Survey reveals drivers don't get along
A new survey conducted by AA and Populus has revealed something
many road users have suspected for a long time: drivers just don't
like fellow drivers.
With 45 per cent of the 20,000 respondents pointing the blame at
other drivers, such levels of dislike have relegated old favourites
such as White Van Man and cyclists to a distant second and third
place respectively.
For the record, White Van Man made 18% of motorists angry while
13% were most annoyed by cyclists, 6% by motorcyclists, 4% by bus
drivers and only 1% by pedestrians.
Drivers in Northern Ireland and the West Midlands were most
annoyed by other motorists, while professional people, those living
in London and south east of England and drivers over 55 got the
most angry about White Van Man.
Predictably, anger against cyclists was greatest in London and
among young drivers (18-24) while those most annoyed by
motorcyclists were older drivers (over-65s) and younger drivers
plus those based in London and the south east.
Bus drivers were more a source of annoyance in north east
England than anywhere else, with older drivers being the least
concerned about buses.
Comparative tolerance towards pedestrians extended across all
age ranges and areas.
Commenting on the study, AA president Edmund King said: "We
really must get past this dangerous 'them and us' mentality that
sours interactions between different groups (and even sub-groups)
of road users.
"A tribal mentality on the roads just fosters road-rage which is
not good for your blood pressure or road safety. Drivers need to
remember that other road users are also human beings with equal
rights to share the roads."
16/11/12
- Click here for more news from across the county...