One Third Of Motorists Would Fail If They Took Their Tests Again, Says Confused.com*

- Young drivers are the most confident in their abilities, despite their bad habits - - 35-44 year olds are the most self-deprecating drivers - - 1.5 million drivers think the hard-shoulder can be used for resting, making a call, or overtaking slow drivers -

Cardiff, (PRWEB) October 22, 2008 -- Nearly 12 million motorists admit that they would not pass if they had to retake their driving tests, according to research from Confused.com - the UK’s leading car insurance price comparison site.

Thirty-five to 44 year olds have the least confidence in their driving abilities, with 39% claiming that they would fail their driving test if they had to retake it. The fact that 1 in 4 35-44 year olds took more than three attempts to pass their driving tests might account for such lack of confidence.

More than three quarters (76%) of 17-24 year olds believe that they would pass their driving test, if they had to take it again, which is surprising when almost two thirds (65%) admit to frequently driving either with one hand on the wheel, or over the speed limit.

However, potential dangerous driving practices did not stop there, with the equivalent to 1.5 million drivers (1,428,000) claiming that it is fine to use the hard-shoulder to overtake other drivers, stop to make a phone-call, or take a break from driving.

Will Thomas, head of motor insurance at Confused.com, says: "It is a concern that more than one third of UK motorists do not believe that they would pass their driving tests if they were to retake them, and even more worrying that young drivers are the most confident about their driving abilities despite the fact that they are the worst offenders when it comes to dangerous driving; however, the suggestion that 1.5 million motorists believe that the hard-shoulder can be used for overtaking, resting or making a call is possibly the most alarming.

"It is so easy to let bad habits affect your driving - especially when driving becomes second nature - so it is worth trying to recognise and rectify any habits, as well as frequently reacquainting yourself with the Highway Code. Reckless driving can be extremely costly for motorists, not least in terms of car insurance premiums which rocket as drivers rack up points."

• Research carried out by Tickbox, on behalf of Confused.com, in September 2008. 1200 motorists took part in the survey

Notes to editors
About Confused.com:

Confused.com is one of the UK’s biggest price comparison services. Launched in 2002, it has expanded its range of comparison products over the last couple of years to include home insurance, travel insurance, pet insurance, van insurance, motorbike insurance, breakdown cover and energy, as well as financial services products including credit cards, loans, mortgages and life insurance.

Confused.com has 74 motor insurance partners, and customers can save up to on average £208. It also has a panel of 54 for home insurance, and customers who use Confused.com for home insurance can expect to save up to £193.

Confused.com is not a supplier, insurance company or broker. It provides a free, objective and unbiased comparison service. By using cutting-edge technology, it has developed a series of intelligent web-based solutions that evaluate a number of risk factors to help customers with their decision-making, subsequently finding them great deals on a wide-range of insurance products, financial services, utilities and more. Confused.com’s service is based on the most up-to-date information provided by UK suppliers and industry regulators.

Confused.com is owned by the Admiral Group plc. Admiral listed on the London Stock Exchange in September 2004. Confused.com is regulated by the FSA.

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