Driving lessons are meant to help you become safer drivers, preparing you for your theory test and practical exam. However, one insurance company says that driving lessons don’t do enough to prepare you for the aftermath of a crash. If you had an accident would you know what to do?
New research
New research from car insurance provider, Ingenie, reveals that 86% of young drivers are unaware of what to do following a crash. Many of them tend to just admit liability for accident or avoid facing the aftermath of a collision.
I’m not surprised by this figure; I don’t remember receiving any tips on how to deal with a crash scenario, not while studying for my theory test or during driving lessons. Dealing with collisions is much like motorway driving; it’s one of those things you don’t learn about until you’ve passed your test.
We’re taught how to bay park, parallel park, steer and how to find the bite, but perhaps one of the most important lessons of all is missing from driving lessons.
The new survey by Ingenie, which specialises in providing insurance cover for new and young drivers, does reveal that there is a distinct lack of knowledge among young motorists about how to deal with a crash.
Not adequately prepared by driving lessons
86% of drivers of young drivers aged 17-24 feel that their driving lessons do not adequately prepare them for how to handle a crash situation.
Consequently, young drivers are treated unfairly and end up being penalised for errors they make when panicking and because of this 21% of those surveyed say that they have admitted liability for an accident that they’re not entirely sure was their fault.
In a crash situation, it would appear that the basic laws of motoring are simply forgotten. 71% said they would leave the engine running while dealing with a crash and 77% said they would forget to turn their hazard lights on.
82% of survey participants involved in a crash say they have forgotten to obtain information from witnesses to an accident. Of the 82%, 71% said they forgot to note down a registration number.
Fleeing the scene
Book Theory Test Today says: “However, perhaps most disturbing of all these statistics is that 6% of those surveyed said they had been involved in a crash and were so shocked by it, they simply fled the scene. A further 21% said a crash had put them off driving for life and they’d never consider advanced driving lessons.â€
Founder and CEO of Ingenie, Richard King, said: “Being involved in a crash is stressful for anyone, but for younger drivers who might lack driving experience and confidence, it can be confusing and scary. When panic sets in, many simply blank on the details and make mistakes that could cost them if they need to make a claim.â€
Crash aftermath checklist
If you’re involved in an accident here’s a checklist, compiled by Ingenie, letting you know what to do in the aftermath of a crash:
- Make sure everyone is safe and out of the road
- Is the crash blocking the highway? Call the police or an ambulance on 999
- Get witness details – names, addresses, phone numbers – before they leave the scene
- Note down the time and the road conditions
- Talk to the police if they attend the incident
Book Theory Test Today offers an intermediary service assisting clients with booking a UK theory test, or practical test, at test centres across the nation. The service also supplies resources to help you prepare for your theory test – Ready to take your theory test? Book your theory test online today…
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