Lack of Highway Code knowledge is putting lives at risk in the UK

LACK OF HIGHWAY CODE KNOWLEDGE IS PUTTING LIVES AT RISK

A poor understanding of The Highway Code is compromising road safety,
 a new survey has revealed.

Results from the poll of 5,000 motorists showed a large percentage 
failed to correctly answer a  number of general knowledge
 and picture questions covering The Highway Code.

The survey, commissioned by leading tyre manufacturer Goodyear, 
showed that 54% of drivers did  not know to stop when a traffic 
light shone its red and amber lights together.  48% of those
 surveyed also didn't know that the typical stopping distance
 for a car driving at 50mph is  53 metres or 13 car lengths. 
 Nearly a fifth thought they could get away with 36 metres.

When asked what the no-overtaking road sign meant, a worrying 23%
 got it wrong and over 75% assumed that the 30mph minimum speed
 sign actually indicated the maximum speed allowed.  However, while the 
results showed many drivers were out of touch with the road rules, 95%
 are under the illusion that their  understanding of The
 Highway Code is either adequate or good and over 40% don't
 believe that drivers should be re-tested.

"Understanding the rules of The Highway Code can significantly
 reduce road accidents," said Eddy Geerdink,
 Goodyear's marketing director.  "Our survey shows that a number 
of drivers would fail their driving test based on this knowledge and at
 worst it could put the lives of fellow 
drivers at risk if they wrongly interpreted them in real motoring situations."

Goodyear announces the survey results as it welcomes back the
 Goodyear Blimp to the skies of Europe.
  The campaign, entitled "The Goodyear Safety Tour",
 will tour 20 European countries to highlight the work of
 the tyre firm in improving road safety. 

"At Goodyear, we firmly believe that safety is a 
shared responsibility," continued Eddy. 
 "Through this commitment we look forward to
 sharing the results of this survey with the UK population 
by using the Goodyear Blimp to underline the importance of road safety."

For more information visit Goodyear UK or 
Goodyear Blimp UK.