Ten surprising facts about ris

Ten surprising facts about risky drivers

Most people consider themselves to be good drivers, even if evidence suggests that at least some of those who have a license to get behind the wheel could do with a bit more training.

Ten surprising facts about ris

Santam-riskIn fact a study from AutoExpress found that while nine out of 10 people think the average quality of driving has declined in the past five years, the reality is that safety is improving all the time.

But what is it that makes a risky driver and are there certain groups of people who are more likely to be involved in incidents on the road? Here is a look at some interesting statistics which show that the risks may lie in places you might not expect.

Age issues

While younger drivers tend to get a bad rap for their recklessness on the roads, in reality you are more likely to be involve in an accident at the age of 39.

Of course with vehicle cover from Santam you can drive secure in the knowledge that you have comprehensive insurance cover that will protect you in all eventualities

Driven to distraction

Even those with lots of experience and skill can come a cropper as a result of the many distractions which face them while driving. And being aware of the thing that might draw your attention elsewhere can help you to avoid the and keep your attention on the road ahead.

Mobile phones remain the biggest distraction for modern drivers, since the temptation to make calls, check texts and review emails while you are on the move can be almost overwhelming.

Even seemingly harmless activities like eating and drinking while driving can be disastrous, because they put your mind on things other than the road ahead and regularly cause accidents around the world. In spite of this, 60 per cent of people still munch on something while driving.

Drivers with young families will want to take note of the distracting nature of having kids in the back of the car, because turning around to look at them or even glancing at them in the rear view mirror will leave your attention elsewhere. And with youngsters in the car your priority should be driving as safely as possible.

In-car technology, including radios and especially sat nav systems, are another thing to think about when you are driving, with many individuals and experts blaming them for an increase in accidents.

In short you need to make sure that everything is ready to go before you even set off, as well as avoiding as many distractions as possible to make sure that you are not a risk to yourself or other road users.

Accidents are not just costly in the short term, but can also have a negative impact on your insurance premium over many years. So sticking to the straight and narrow and making sure that there is nothing to turn you into a risky driver is a good strategy for everyone.

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