LACK OF HIGHWAY CODE KNOWLEDGE IS PUTTING LIVES AT RISK

A poor understanding of The Highway Code is compromising road safety, a new survey has revealed.

Results from the poll of 5,000 motorists showed a large percentage failed to correctly answer a number of general knowledge and picture questions covering The Highway Code.

The survey, commissioned by leading tyre manufacturer Goodyear, showed that 54% of drivers did not know to stop when a traffic light shone its red and amber lights together. 48% of those surveyed also didn’t know that the typical stopping distance for a car driving at 50mph is 53 metres or 13 car lengths. Nearly a fifth thought they could get away with 36 metres.

When asked what the no-overtaking road sign meant, a worrying 23% got it wrong and over 75% assumed that the 30mph minimum speed sign actually indicated the maximum speed allowed. However, while the results showed many drivers were out of touch with the road rules, 95% are under the illusion that their understanding of The Highway Code is either adequate or good and over 40% don’t believe that drivers should be re-tested.

“Understanding the rules of The Highway Code can significantly reduce road accidents,” said Eddy Geerdink, Goodyear’s marketing director. “Our survey shows that a number of drivers would fail their driving test based on this knowledge and at worst it could put the lives of fellow drivers at risk if they wrongly interpreted them in real motoring situations.”

Goodyear announces the survey results as it welcomes back the Goodyear Blimp to the skies of Europe. The campaign, entitled ‘The Goodyear Safety Tour’, will tour 20 European countries to highlight the work of the tyre firm in improving road safety.

“At Goodyear, we firmly believe that safety is a shared responsibility,” continued Eddy. “Through this commitment we look forward to sharing the results of this survey with the UK population by using the Goodyear Blimp to underline the importance of road safety.”

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

ENDS

Notes to editors

The research for Goodyear was carried out by OnePoll in February 2011 amongst a panel of motorists resulting in 5,000 respondents.

Picture caption: left to right, Eddy Geerdink (Goodyear UK marketing director), Kate Rock (Goodyear pr support manager) and Ron Pike (Goodyear channel marketing and events manager).