Confused.com Reveals the Extent of Poor Driving Habits in the UK

CARDIFF, Wales, March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Confused.com has revealed shocking research showing the extent of driver habits on UK roads, with a range of behaviours admitted.

Apparently some drivers across the UK are getting in the driving seat wearing nothing more than pyjamas and with their feet clad in just their slippers or even barefoot. Applying make-up is another part of the morning routine which some women leave until they are actually driving the car: 1 in 10 women put make-up on and drive at the same time and 15% of men have had a shave while driving.

Car insurance experts at Confused.com are warning drivers to wake up to the potential danger of inappropriate footwear and dangerous driving habits, and advising drivers to keep a pair of sensible 'driving shoes' in the car for safety.

Wearing high heels behind the wheel is not uncommon with 40% of women admitting this and 46% of us admit to eating and driving at the same time. 47% of men and 18% of women are checking out other drivers to see if they are attractive as they motor along and 49% of men pick their noses and drive at the same time, which apart from being disgusting means their hands are not on the wheel. Similarly, almost half of us (49%) regularly change the music while we are driving.

18-24 year-old men (40%) and 25-34 year old women (47%) are the most likely to wear flip flops to drive but the main slipper wearers are the 25-34 year-old men (14%) and 18-24 year-old women (21%). Over 55s are least likely to wear slippers or flip flops to drive and women driving in high heels peaks at 25-34 years old with half of women in this age group admitting to driving in heels.

Head of Car Insurance at Confused.com, Gareth Kloet commented: "It's not against the law to drive in your pyjamas or pick your nose at traffic lights but any behaviour that could cause you to drive without due care and attention should be avoided. Wearing inappropriate footwear could cause the driver to lose control of the car and so we'd recommend keeping a pair of suitable shoes in the car to avoid any crashes. Look at your feet; if you are wearing shoes which you would not wear for a driving test then you probably shouldn't wear them to drive either."

Julie Townsend, Deputy Chief Executive at Brake, the road safety charity, also voiced her concerns: "It's deeply worrying that many drivers have such little regard for their own and others' safety that they will apply make-up, shave and eat at the wheel, or wear unsuitable footwear. Driving is a responsibility that needs to be taken seriously and given your full attention. We all live hectic lives and people often feel cocooned in their vehicles, but we need to bear in mind that a lapse of concentration at the wheel can lead to needless tragedies."

About Confused.com:

Confused.com was the UK's first price comparison site for car insurance. Confused.com is one of the UK's biggest and most popular price comparison services. Launched in 2002, it generates over one million quotes per month. It has expanded its range of comparison products over the last couple of years to include specialised car insurance such as BMW car insurance, Mini car insurance and car insurance for 17 year olds. Confused.com also compares financial services products including credit cards, loans, mortgages and life insurance quotes.

Confused.com is not a supplier, insurance company or broker. It provides a free, objective and unbiased comparison service. Confused.com is owned by the Admiral Group plc. Admiral listed on the London Stock Exchange in September 2004. Confused.com is regulated by the FSA.

PR Contact:
Sarah Wenham
Confused.com press office
Friary House
Greyfriars Road
Cardiff
CF10 3AE
+44(0)2920-434275
http://www.confused.com