Parents 'make children safer drivers'

Tuesday, 09 March 2010 10:27

By myfinances.co.uk staff

Taking the time to help their children learn to drive can pay off for parents, according to new research.

Insurer Aviva, which carried out the study, found that young drivers are 17% more likely to pass their test on the first attempt if they had been given additional tutelage by their mum or dad.

Half of those who only took paid driving lessons needed to take their test four or more times.

Aviva also found that more than a quarter of all young drivers who did not practice with their parents had to make a car insurance claim following an accident within the first year of getting their licence.

The company's motoring expert, Nigel Bartram, said that while parents can provide "valuable experience" to young drivers, parents must ensure they avoid passing on any bad habits to their children.

According to Aviva's research, the most common driving errors that mums and dads pass on include looking over their shoulder for cars rather than using the mirror, driving with one hand on the wheel and being abusive to other road users.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics for 2006 show 63% of women and 81% of men in Britain had a full driving licence.

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