Bad drivers pass habits to children

28/09/11

By Emma McFarnon

Research has revealed that a motorist's driving behaviour is heavily influenced by that of their parents.

Insurance giant Axa has found that motorists aged under 30 have a 300 per cent greater chance of holding an endorsed licence if their parents have been found guilty of breaking the rules of the road, compared with other drivers their age.

The relationship between a parent's attitude to drink-driving appears especially strong, with young motorists have a seven-fold greater chance of drink-driving if they saw mothers or fathers doing so than those who never saw their parents drive while over the limit.

The survey of some 2,000 motorists aged 18-30 also revealed that driving too close to the car in front, disregarding red lights and pedestrian crossings and getting involved in races are more common among young drivers whose parents did likewise.

Robin Reames, chief claims officer at AXA car insurance, said: "I'm sure most parents would hate to think that the lessons they are teaching their children while they sit in the back of the car could end up in behaviour on the road that leads to a tragic road accident."