This is an old article.
This story in Autoblog raises an interesting issue (link now dead).
It says that there is a group of drivers between the ages of 17 and 29 who have passed their tests, but rarely drive. As a result, when they DO drive they are a danger to themselves and everyone about them.
The “research” (aka survey) from the Axa insurance company says that 17% of drivers in the 17-29 group drive maybe once or twice a month at the most (many drive less with gaps of years). But the survey reveals that these people are more likely to have accidents that were their own fault.
The figures are astonishing (not to mention confusing – you can imagine Axa’s staff raiding their database and learning how to use Microsoft Excel to come up with these statements):
- those who drive once or twice a month are FIVE TIMES more likely to have had FOUR own-fault bumps than those who drive daily
- they were 14 TIMES more likely to have had FIVE own-fault bumps
- they were 11 TIMES more likely to be uninsured when they had those bumps
- only 11% described themselves as “confident” behind the wheel, compared to over 50% of regular drivers
- 28% admitted to having forgotten most of what they learnt for their tests
The article immaturely ends by saying: never mind the over-70s having to retake their tests – what about this lot? I think we can just ignore that, because they are two totally separate subjects (how many over 70s are totally non-confident on the road, and only drive once or twice a month? Sunday drivers, anyone?)
The “research” is nowhere near deep enough to reveal whether these people don’t drive BECAUSE they are not confident, or if their lack of confidence stems from their not driving. For most of them it is quite likely to be the latter.
I remember when I passed. I couldn’t afford a car and didn’t drive for over a year. I never thought about it until I got in my first car, then all of a sudden I was nervous because I’d never driven alone before. So I warn all my pupils of that when they pass, and to consider easing themselves into it rather than jump in with both feet if they are nervous or worried in any way.
It’s fairly obvious that if they don’t practice then they will forget.
Somewhere along the way, that’s the point this story has missed.
And it should also be fairly obvious that you can’t just say someone who doesn’t drive very often is an insurance dodger without some serious qualification.
As for nervousness – it’s a separate thing altogether for some people.