Marooned motorists wave goodbye to goodwill

Fear is causing the altruistic motorist to become a dying breed, as fewer Brits stop and help stranded drivers at the roadside, according to Direct Line Breakdown.

Six in 10 (62 per cent) drivers would consider stopping and helping someone at the roadside but more than half (53 per cent) of these ‘charitable motorists’ admit they’re less likely to stop today and help a breakdown victim than they were 10 years ago. In many cases it would seem that road rage is triggering this fear as people are afraid of being on the receiving end of someone’s infuriation.

Close to three quarters (71 per cent) of ‘charitable drivers’ believe British people are more aggressive now than in 1996. And among all drivers 31 per cent would never consider pulling-over to help a fellow driver in need, with more than half (59 per cent) of these drivers believing it’s just too risky to open their car doors to talk to strangers.

Yet of those drivers who have been brave enough to stop and help someone in need (42 per cent), many will have been turned away. Close to a sixth (15 per cent) of those who have offered roadside support to a stranded motorist have been turned away.

Women drivers are more than twice (16 per cent) as likely, as their male counterparts (seven per cent), to refuse roadside assistance from a stranger, with one in two (53 per cent) stating that an offer of help would have been unwelcome last time they broke down.

And whether they would want help or not, drivers are most likely to stop and offer help to unaccompanied women. Close to four in 10 (37 per cent) of those who would stop and help someone would pull over and assist a female pensioner and more than quarter (26 per cent) would help a woman on her own.

Emma Holyer, Direct Line Motor spokesperson said:

“Breaking down is not only inconvenient it’s also a frightening experience for many drivers so it’s clear why motorists are reluctant to offer or accept help from strangers. To encourage personal safety we are urging drivers to ensure you have breakdown cover in place so a trained mechanic is only a phone call away. If you were unfortunate enough to breakdown we’d advise motorists to call their recovery service and also notify a friend or relative.”

For more information, log on to www.directline.com

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Emma Holyer/Direct Line Press Office
0208 256 2182 / 07894 158605
Email: emma.holyer@directline.com


Notes to Editors:

The research was carried out on behalf of Direct Line car insurance by YouGov. A nationally representative sample of 2,797 GB adults were questioned online between 21st to 25th September 2006. Results are weighted to be representative of the GB adult population. YouGov is a member of the British Polling Council.

NATIONAL DATA:

Top five motorists that drivers would be most likely to stop and help (among those who would stop and help)

• Female pensioner on her own (37 per cent)
• Woman on her own (26 per cent)
• Woman with female friends (five per cent)
• An attractive woman on her own - rather than any woman (four per cent)
• Male pensioner on his own (four per cent)

Top five motorists that drivers would be least likely to stop and help (among those who would stop and help)

• Man with male friends (71 per cent)
• Man on his own (eight per cent)
• Woman on her own (three per cent)
• Woman with female friends (two per cent)
• Attractive woman on her own (one per cent)

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