Driving ability is thought to be a skill that improves with experience. A new survey by JMW Solicitors indicates that many drivers feel confident in their driving, but reveals that technical questions present a stumbling block for many.

We surveyed 1,033 road users to learn about their knowledge of UK road regulations and asked them to reflect on their driving ability. The results reveal a difference between self-perceived and actual driving aptitude.

Half of UK drivers have been involved in a car accident

When asked whether they had been involved in a car accident, respondents were evenly split. Just under 51% said to have never been involved in a road accident, whilst 45% revealed that they have incurred a minor accident. Over 4% said they have been involved in a serious accident, showing that accidents occur more often than expected.

96% believe they are better drivers than average

Respondents were asked to reflect on the quality of their driving, on a scale ranging from ‘excellent’ to ‘poor’. On the top end, 13% rated their driving skill as excellent, whilst the majority - 65% - placed themselves as good drivers. Sliding down the scale, 18% rated their ability to drive as fair. The following option on the scale was ‘average’, to which only 3% associated their skill, revealing that a total of 96% of respondents believe to be better than average. Only 1% admitted to being poor drivers.

One in ten people felt their driving ability had declined over time

We asked whether drivers feel they have improved in their driving ability since passing their test and respondents answered on a scale ranging from ‘strongly agree’ to ‘strongly disagree’. On the positive end, 41% strongly agreed that they were better drivers now than when they passed, with a further 51% generally agreeing so. On the other side, 8% of respondents disagreed with the statement, and 1% strongly disagreed.

Half of drivers don’t know the stopping distance of a car going 30mph

To put their technical road knowledge to the test, respondents were asked whether they knew the stopping distance for a car travelling at 30mph. Answers were nearly evenly split - 48% said they knew the answer, versus 52% who did not.

Three quarters think you shouldn’t drink before driving

The survey also aimed to discover attitudes towards drinking and driving. When asked how many alcoholic drinks they feel is acceptable to consume before driving, the vast majority (76%) answered zero. A surprisingly substantial 22% felt that one drink was acceptable, but a reassuringly small 2% voted for two drinks. Under 1% said three or more drinks was passable before getting behind the wheel.

Two thirds don’t know the legal blood alcohol content limit

To understand drivers’ awareness of UK road law on drinking and driving, respondents were also asked to indicate whether they knew the legal limit for blood alcohol content when driving in England and Wales. This technical question received the largest number of answers revealing no knowledge; only 33% said they knew the answer, dwarfed by over two thirds (67%) admitting to not knowing. However, when asked to then give the exact number, a number of respondents who claimed to know were incorrect in their answer.

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