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Highway Code proves easy to forget once they pass for most motorists |
Since the theory test element of the driving test was introduced in 1996, memorising the Highway Code has been essential for anyone wanting to lose their L plates. But new research suggests the rules of the Highway Code don't stay with us once we pass, with half of us saying we hardly remember any of it and only a third saying they have bothered to refer to it since they've passed their test.
Car insurance expert elephant.co.uk surveyed 3,000 motorists on the Highway Code to see just how important they think it is to being a good driver and how much they remember. They also decided to test them on some typical Highway Code questions to find out exactly how much motorists do remember, with mixed results.
70% admitted they only learned the Highway Code to pass their driving test, while only half said they remember none or just the odd bit of it now. This could explain why nearly half those questioned don't think they would pass the driving theory test if they had to sit it today.
So how did the 3,000 people surveyed get on in a simple test? Elephant.co.uk gave them twelve questions, including identifying road signs and questions on the speed limit and stopping distances. Overall they got the right answer 55% of the time, but some questions proved easier than others. Thankfully 88% knew the speed limit on motorways is still 70mph, but only one in five knew that drivers should not use their horn between 11.30pm and 7.00am. Other questions which proved difficult were to name the correct stopping distance at 30mph, only 39% knew it was 23 metres. And only 30% knew that red cats eyes mark the left hand side of a road.
Brian Martin, elephant.co.uk managing director, said, 'The results of our mini test suggest the Highway Code is something most motorists only read in order to pass their driving theory test. The results were hit and miss, and it is concerning how few drivers remember some fairly basic rules of the road.
Men scored marginally better than women in the test, the men scored 56% overall compared with women on 54%.
Regionally, motorists in the West Midlands are least confident they would pass their theory test today (63%) compared with those in the South West who are the most confident (80%). This self confidence from motorists in the South West could be justified, as they answered the test questions correctly more times than those in any other region. Most regions scored very similar results for questions on the Highway Code, around 55%. However those in the South West scored best with 58%. The worst scoring region was the East Midlands on 51%.
Although men scored better than women in the test, more women than men said they passed their theory test first time; 76% of women compared with 71% of men.
However, with few motorists remembering much of the Highway Code today, elephant.co.uk's research did find that a large majority (68%) think it is important to know it in order to be a good driver. And a large section of those questioned (46%) think motorists should be retested on the Highway Code on a regular basis.
Brian Martin, continued, 'It's good to see so many drivers appreciate that knowledge of the Highway Code is important to helping you to be a better driver. Although I doubt there will be any plans soon for the government to re-test motorists on their knowledge of it soon.' Issue date: 24/11/2011
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