22/10/2007

• More than eight out of ten (84%) drivers are unaware that playing loud music in cars is against the new Highway Code safety rules
• Almost two thirds (65%) of drivers admitted to eating while driving - this is against the new Highway Code safety rules
• Nearly half (47%) of adults say they would feel at risk if they were a passenger and the driver was wearing high heels but it's not outlawed in the Code

Drivers' safety bible, the Highway Code, was updated in September 2007 ago. But new research* by Churchill Car Insurance shows that 37% of drivers are unaware that changes have been made. Many more admit to breaking the rules, exposing themselves to a possible fine or prosecution**.

Code confusion

• Playing loud music is now against the rules, yet over half (53%) of drivers have unwittingly flouted the rules by turning up the volume behind the wheel.
• Three in ten drivers (30%) think that driving in flip flops or high heels is forbidden, yet this is NOT the case.

The top five 'behind-the-wheel sins of the road', that motorists admitted to, are:

1. Changing CDs/cassettes/radio stations whilst driving (75%)
2. Eating food (65%)
3. Drinking (soft drinks) (59%)
4. Not wearing sunglasses when sunny (58%) (not in the Highway Code)
5. Playing loud music (53%)

Abi Clark, spokesperson for Churchill Car Insurance, said:
"Drivers need to make sure that they know all the current rules of the Highway Code, otherwise they could find they are inadvertently breaking them."

Putting passengers in peril
Some motorists undertake activities when driving which make their passengers feel not just nervous, but that their safety is at risk. The respondents were asked to imagine they were a passenger in a vehicle; the driver actions most likely to put them on edge include:

• Reading a map (77%) (against new Highway Code rules)
• Arguing with other passengers/road users (65%) (against new Highway Code rules)
• Having to keep a rowdy child passenger in check (61%) (not in the Highway Code)
• Using or allowing passengers to use distracting toys/gadgets (56%)(against new Highway Code rules)
• Driving in flip flops/high heels (47%) (not in the Highway Code)
• Changing CDs / cassettes / radio stations (47%) (against new Highway Code rules)

Abi Clark continues: "Drivers should not live by the Highway Code alone, but also use their common sense when driving. Anything that distracts motorists from looking at the road, or prevents them from driving safely should be avoided at all costs so that accidents can be prevented."

Churchill has compiled a list of amendments and changes to the Highway Code in the guide attached.

-Ends-

For more information please contact:

RBS Insurance Press Office
Tel: 0208 285 3277

Notes to editors

*Based on research carried out online by YouGov plc on behalf of Churchill Insurance among 2049 UK adults between 3rd and 5th October 2007. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

**Many of the rules in the Code are legal requirements and if you disobey these rules, you are committing a criminal offence. You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence or be disqualified from driving. In the most serious cases you may be sent to prison. Such rules are identified by use of the words "MUST/MUST NOT". Although failure to comply with the other rules of the Code will not in itself cause a person to be prosecuted, The Official Highway Code may be used in evidence in any court proceedings under the Traffic Acts to establish liability. This includes those rules which use advisory wording such as “should/should not” or “do/do not”.

Find related articles:

Young drivers car insurance – information on penalty points and how they could affect car insurance premiums

Pass Plus - find out how taking the Pass Plus test could help you get cheaper car insurance

Drive green and save money – being a more eco-friendly motorist is not just better for the environment – it can also help you save cash.