Brits Cutting Back on Motoring Safety, According to New Carrentals.co.uk Survey

    SURREY, ENGLAND, November 25, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- UK drivers are taking their lives into their own hands by neglecting essential car safety checks in the name of cost-cutting, according to the latest survey conducted by online car hire comparison specialist Carrentals.co.uk. The award-winning website polled over 2,300 motorists and found that 1 in 3 have failed to get their car appropriately serviced due to expense while a further 1 in 5 say that even though icy weather is on the way they have not changed worn out tyres.

The new Carrentals.co.uk motoring survey also found that 1 in 10 people have taken the cost-cutting measure of changing their car insurance from comprehensive cover to third-party. 60% of those polled admitted that while icy weather is soon to arrive they have not had their car tyres checked out, and another 80% have chosen not to get car brakes checked to help save money.

Another 10% told Carrentals.co.uk that they have chosen not to change their brake pads recently as a means of cutting expenditure, something which Carrentals.co.uk says can put both them and other motorists at risk.

Gareth Robinson, managing director of Carrentals.co.uk, commented: "It is completely understandable that people look to make cost savings wherever possible at present, and we do sympathise. However, neglecting your car's brakes, tyres and more when there is icy weather on the way could be considered somewhat risky."

"Last year the UK's roads were awfully icy and treacherous, and a real danger to motorists. There are plenty of other ways to save money which don't put lives at risk this winter."

Other results of the survey included nearly 1 in 3 UK drivers admitting to have bought a car recently which costs less in terms of servicing and maintenance. Further to this over 56% of those polled say they save money by taking their car in for work and servicing at a cheaper garage instead of one authorised by the manufacturer.

Car rescue has felt the impact of the continuing economic climate too with 1 in 10 Brits saying that they no longer pay for their car rescue insurance policy. Furthermore 3% told Carrentals.co.uk that they have driven their car while not insured as they could no longer afford the premiums.

"The ongoing financial crisis means that people do need to save in whatever areas they can, but we are concerned to find how many would skimp on road safety", Gareth continued. "A car is an essential item in daily life for most Brits but people appear to be scrimping and scraping on vital things like tyre and brake checks. This is a real worry when the icy winter weather is on the horizon."

The award winning Carrentals.co.uk is the leading car hire comparison site comparing the best deals from up to 50 rental companies, including Alamo, Auto Europe, Budget, Holiday Autos and Sixt. Travellers can rent a car in over 15,000 locations around the world, including car hire in Tenerife, and car hire in Lanzarote for a winter sun escape.

For more information visit www.carrentals.co.uk.

About Carrentals.co.uk
Carrentals.co.uk was launched in February 2003 and grew to become one of the UK's leading online car hire companies by 2006.

In 2007 the company re-launched its site to create the first major online price comparator in the travel industry. Using the latest technology the Carrentals.co.uk site now searches up to 50 different car hire websites, providing an impartial comparison of the best prices available in over 15,000 locations.

Websites searched include Alamo, Auto Europe, Budget, Ebookers, Hertz, Holiday Autos, Opodo, Sixt and Thrifty, with the Carrentals.co.uk site quickly comparing prices and allowing customers to refine their search by car type.

The Carrentals.co.uk site also features over 5,000 pages of travel information in a mini-guide format.

In 2008 Carrentals.co.uk was voted Best Car Hire Website in the Travolution Awards, and in 2010 it was Highly Commended in the Best Meta-search/Price Comparison category. To book or for further information visit www.carrentals.co.uk

Media Contact
Rachel Builder & Jenny White
Context
T: 01625 511966
F: 01625 511967
[email protected]
www.contextpr.co.uk

# # #