Parents Think They are Good Role Models on the Road, but Sometimes They Behave Badly

BRUSSELS, January 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Will becoming a better parent on the road be your New Year's resolution?

While European parents see themselves as good role models to their children on the road, they may actually have a negative influence on their children's driving habits, according to new findings from tire manufacturer Goodyear.

The finding is part of Goodyear's survey of over 6,800 parents of novice drivers (aged 16-25) from 19 countries. The survey informed the new edition of their White Paper Driving Safety First: Improving road safety for novice drivers which can be downloaded at http://www.goodyear.eu.

The survey shows that many parents appear aware of the strong influence they have over their children's attitudes to road safety. A majority of parents surveyed (51%) said that their children pay attention to their behaviour when they drive and 34% feel that their driving habits start to influence their children's attitude to road safety between 6 and 16 years of age.

In a clear indication that they think they are role models, 77% of parents think that their children see them as good drivers. Another 56% think that their children see their driving as setting a good example to others.

According to Eszter Salamon, president of the European Parents Association: "It is clear the role of parents starts very early. They are role models for the children. They drive behaviour, and their behaviour on the road as drivers, cyclists or pedestrians has an influence."

Despite their belief in their own positive influence, parents are not always confident on the road. Just 54% said they would pass a driving test today.

Even more worrying is parents' tendency to display risky behaviour behind the wheel. A quarter of parents (26%) admit that they have picked up bad habits over the years, especially those in the UK (51%) and France (46%).  

A large number of parents (44%) have even been penalized for speeding when their child is in the car and others (14%) admit to often getting angry with other motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

"Parents appear to underestimate the negative impact that they can have," says Olivier Rousseau, Goodyear's vice president, consumer tires, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

A video of a roundtable debate and press conference where Goodyear's White Paper and survey results were discussed with key experts in the field can be watched at: http://www.goodyear.eu/conference.