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Teen road rage causes angst for drivers
Added: (Fri Sep 08 2006)
A survey shows that many UK teens are developing road rage habits before they even get behind the wheel, criticising their parents driving and hurling abuse at other motorists.
The research, carried out by Cornhill Direct, shows that some 29 per cent of drivers say that their children will shout and swear at other motorists and over a fifth of teens can be seen shouting from the window.
It may not be just other motorists' driving that comes under fire, as over a third of teenagers telling their parents to 'put their foot down' and encouraging them to overtake, with one in four drivers saying their child's behaviour makes them drive erratically.
This could put people at risk of driving without due care, possibly resulting in being pulled over by the police, or being involved in a crash. Either situation could find a motorist with a raise in their car insurance premiums.
A spokesman for Cornhill Direct, Mark Bishop, said: "Driving safely requires a driver's full attention. Trying to keep rowdy teenagers under control at the same time is incredibly distracting and could easily cause an accident."
An accident could result in personal injury, a costly car insurance claim or a worst, a fatality. Mr Bishop recommends talking to children to ensure they understand the risks of distracting drivers, with their turn as drivers yet to come.
Young drivers are amongst the highest risk groups for car insurance providers, causing some companies, such as Norwich Union to increase their motor insurance premiums for younger drivers.
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Submitted by:
Jane Cragg