R-34
11-02-2003, 05:56 PM
THE clocks went back on Saturday, and almost on cue winter weather arrived, plunging thousands of newly-qualified, mostly young drivers into serious danger.
Many of them will have spent several months on the road since passing their test, and will think they are now well experienced, but thanks to the long summer providing perfect driving conditions, they've been lulled into a false sense of security.
Now winter rain and ice are settling on roads coated over several months with tyre rubber. It's a lethal combination creating greasy conditions that will catch out many drivers, especially the young.
According to the results of a survey on the driving habits of the young compiled by car maker Peugeot, many new drivers are at risk.
Jon Goodman, marketing director of Peugeot, said that the long summer and early autumn had only made matters worse.
"Young motorists tend to drive older cars, and as the weather deteriorates, we are concerned that a combination of poorly maintained cars and lack of winter driving experience may lead to their safety being compromised," he said.
Student drivers in particular, heading off to university, are concerned about the onset of winter. The survey showed that 57 per cent were uncomfortable with driving on icy roads; 41 per cent driving in fog; 32 per cent in heavy rain and 12 per cent concerned about driving at night.
Worringly, the survey also showed that many new drivers had already gained bad habits on the road, which combined with the winter weather could easily prove fatal.
The most common bad driving habit amongst students, cited by 89 per cent of respondents, was getting frustrated with older people for driving too slowly.
This was seen as impeding students' 'need for speed' as 49 per cent of them said their worst habit is driving faster than 90mph on the motorway. 68 per cent said they would drive faster than 80mph on the motorway, and 89 per cent that they will drive faster than 70mph.
Most drivers, 61 per cent, said that they knew one or more student drivers prepared to drive even when they knew they had exceeded the legal alcohol limit.
However, the majority said that 73 per cent of their friends who also drive attached a "great deal" of importance to not drinking and driving.
The message is, go careful out there. Remember that winter weather, cold temperatures, rain and ice, can turn the seemingly safe road that you've driven down hundreds of times during the summer into a skating rink.
Drive more slowly, not too close to the vehicle in front, and more gently, without sudden acceleration or braking which in winter weather could easily lead to skidding and accidents.
icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk
Many of them will have spent several months on the road since passing their test, and will think they are now well experienced, but thanks to the long summer providing perfect driving conditions, they've been lulled into a false sense of security.
Now winter rain and ice are settling on roads coated over several months with tyre rubber. It's a lethal combination creating greasy conditions that will catch out many drivers, especially the young.
According to the results of a survey on the driving habits of the young compiled by car maker Peugeot, many new drivers are at risk.
Jon Goodman, marketing director of Peugeot, said that the long summer and early autumn had only made matters worse.
"Young motorists tend to drive older cars, and as the weather deteriorates, we are concerned that a combination of poorly maintained cars and lack of winter driving experience may lead to their safety being compromised," he said.
Student drivers in particular, heading off to university, are concerned about the onset of winter. The survey showed that 57 per cent were uncomfortable with driving on icy roads; 41 per cent driving in fog; 32 per cent in heavy rain and 12 per cent concerned about driving at night.
Worringly, the survey also showed that many new drivers had already gained bad habits on the road, which combined with the winter weather could easily prove fatal.
The most common bad driving habit amongst students, cited by 89 per cent of respondents, was getting frustrated with older people for driving too slowly.
This was seen as impeding students' 'need for speed' as 49 per cent of them said their worst habit is driving faster than 90mph on the motorway. 68 per cent said they would drive faster than 80mph on the motorway, and 89 per cent that they will drive faster than 70mph.
Most drivers, 61 per cent, said that they knew one or more student drivers prepared to drive even when they knew they had exceeded the legal alcohol limit.
However, the majority said that 73 per cent of their friends who also drive attached a "great deal" of importance to not drinking and driving.
The message is, go careful out there. Remember that winter weather, cold temperatures, rain and ice, can turn the seemingly safe road that you've driven down hundreds of times during the summer into a skating rink.
Drive more slowly, not too close to the vehicle in front, and more gently, without sudden acceleration or braking which in winter weather could easily lead to skidding and accidents.
icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk