Brits Bewitched Behind The Wheel - Network Q And Derek Acorah Reveal The Nation's Most Spine-Tingling Drives

LUTON – October 31, 2008: Brits looking for spooky thrills this Halloween are as likely to find them on the road as they are in haunted houses and eerie churchyards.

A report published today reveals that half (48%) of the nation’s motorists have encountered spooky phenomena behind the wheel – hence the car’s growing appeal for paranormal thrill-seekers looking for on-road excitement.

The research into the nation’s eerie driving experiences, conducted amongst 1,000 British drivers and published by Network Q, the used car arm of Vauxhall, reveals that the most common unexplained phenomena include:

That strange feeling that ‘you’ve been here before…’

Sixth-sense premonitions about what is around the next corner

The feeling someone is sitting next to you when driving alone

Strange drops in temperature

Unexplained white lights ahead on the road

The research also reveals that not all drivers will be driving scared from ghosts and ghouls this Halloween – Nearly 2 million ‘chill seekers’ say they will be deliberately hunting out spine chilling drives tonight*. The majority (82%) however say they’ll be actively avoiding spooky roads this evening.

To help those fans of the supernatural, Network Q has teamed up with TV psychic Derek Acorah, who is featured in the car company’s latest Halloween adverts, to identify the nation’s creepiest roads for drivers looking to make the most of their Halloween. According to Derek these are:

Union Street (Bedford) – Drivers have reported seeing a creepy highwayman

A494 (Mold, North Wales) – A peculiar, tall and ghostly presence has been spotted at the side of the road

Pulford to Doddleston Road (Chester) – A mysterious form has been seen in the roadside hedges

Dibbinsdale Bridge (Bromborough) – This road goes through a low-lying valley filled with fog and mist where strange stories abound

Loggerheads (North Wales) – An unexplained presence has been known to greet visitors as they enter the town

A23 (Pyecombe, West Sussex) – A strange, spooky figure has been known to scamper close to the road

Whitehouse Lane (Brimstage to Heswall, Wirral) –A mysterious cyclist pedals furiously alongside cars

Broomhill Road (Tonbridge) –A man in a grey suit mysteriously appears to drivers where a large house and lodge once stood

Road between Halkyn and Holywell (North Wales) – Drivers have come into contact with ‘presences’ on dark nights

A541 (Plontbyddyn) – A ghostly, elderly lady appears to drivers near the local manor house

Simon Ewart of Vauxhall said, “It’s clear that thrill seekers looking for an extra spooky Halloween will find excitement just by getting on the road tonight. At Network Q, we can assure drivers that their used cars won’t come with any ghostly histories, unlike some of Britain’s roads.”

The report also reveals the roadmap of the nation’s creepiest roads – Leicester has the UK’s spookiest driving spots with 44% of drivers claiming to have an eerie area nearby. Edinburgh (41%) and Cardiff (41%) came in at second and third place.