Two In Three Britons Driving Dangerously

    LONDON, ENGLAND, July 19, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- More than two-thirds of British drivers (69 per cent) admit to having engaged in some form of potentially dangerous activity whilst driving in the last month, according to new research from Sainsbury's Car Insurance. This is a 4 per cent increase on this time last year.

Eating and drinking whilst driving is the most prevalent dangerous habit, with 43% of motorists questioned admitting to having done this in the previous month. This is followed by driving whilst feeling tired (32 per cent), which has increased from 28 per cent last year, excessive speeding (17 per cent) and driving wearing flip flops/no shoes (14 per cent).

Despite it being illegal to use a non hands-free mobile phone whilst driving, 12 per cent of motorists surveyed said that they did this in the previous month and 11 per cent admitted to sending text messages whilst driving. Eleven per cent of drivers questioned admit to reading a map whilst driving.

Lucy Hunter, Sainsbury's Car Insurance Manager said: "People who drive regularly can sometimes become too self-assured behind the wheel, especially if they are driving on roads they know well. Often this leads them to drive in a manner that significantly increases the level of risk to themselves, their passengers and other road users.

"Unfortunately many motorists get distracted too easily whilst driving and don't consider the possible consequences of their actions. We would urge motorists to concentrate at the wheel and not be tempted to engage in anything that could distract them."

Sainsbury's Car Insurance offers 24 hour accident recovery. As standard, the policy includes a courtesy car when using one of its recommended repairers (Comprehensive cover only).

On a gender basis, the findings reveal that an estimated 11 million male drivers have embarked on some form of dangerous activity whilst driving over the last month. This compares with approximately 8.3 million female drivers.

Scotland saw 83 per cent of its motorists surveyed engaging in a possibly dangerous act whilst at the wheel in the last month, which was the highest in the country. The corresponding figure for Greater London was 56 per cent, which was the lowest in Britain.

Sainsbury's Car Insurance offers motorists an extensive range of cover and benefits. This includes a courtesy car when using one of its recommended repairers (Comprehensive cover only) and a no-claims discount of 70% if you take out a policy and have not made a claim in the past five years, rising to 75% after a further five years' claim-free driving with Sainsbury's Car Insurance. It is also offers new-for-old replacement child car seats after an accident as a standard feature of its comprehensive policy, even when there is no perceived damage, as well as support and compensation if you're a victim of car jacking or road rage.

Sainsbury's provide a wide range of financial services including pet insurance, life insurance and home insurance, visit www.sainsburysbank.co.uk now to find out more.

Notes to editors:

(1) 1,001 GB adults aged 16-64 were interviewed online by TNS between 18th-22nd June 2009. The consumer omnibus research conducted by TNS uses a large sample size that reflects the demographic profile of GB aged 16-64. Given this it is possible to extrapolate figures and make projections from the research results within appropriate confidence intervals.

(2) The consumer omnibus research was conducted by TNS. 1006 people aged 16-64 were interviewed online between 1st - 3rd July 2008. The consumer omnibus research conducted by TNS uses a large sample size that reflects the demographic profile of GB. Given this it is possible to extrapolate figures and make projections from the research results within appropriate confidence intervals.

(3) Terms and conditions apply
Sainsbury's Car Insurance is arranged and administered by esure Services Limited. Registered in England No.2135610 at The Observatory, Reigate RH2 0SG. Not available in Northern Ireland or the Channel Islands. Age restrictions apply. Subject to normal acceptance criteria. Like all insurers there may be circumstances where we are unable to provide a quote. Calls may be monitored and recorded.

Sainsbury's Finance:
To view our latest press releases and product information, please visit the Sainsbury's Finance online media centre at www.sainsburysfinance.co.uk/media.
Sainsbury's Finance offers a range of quality, competitively priced, award-winning products. It opened for business on 19th February 1997 and was the UK's first supermarket bank. It is a 50:50 joint venture with Sainsbury's and Lloyds Banking Group.
Sainsbury's Finance offers the following products: Credit Cards and Loans, a range of Savings products and Car Insurance, Life Insurance, Home Insurance, Travel Insurance and Pet Insurance.
For further information and general Sainsbury's Finance enquiries customers can call the freephone number on 0500 40 50 60 or visit www.sainsburysfinance.co.uk

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