Drivers ‘scarily complacent’ about dangerous vehicles

11.04 | 22 January 2010 |

Drivers often ‘have their head in the sand’ when it comes to the safety of their brakes and other critical components, according to research published last week by Brake and Direct Line.

More than two in five (42%) of car and van drivers surveyed admitted to driving with one or more dangerous defect(s) within the past year – including defective tyres, broken lights and indicators, poor brakes, dirty mirrors and windows and wrong oil or water levels.

And nearly three out of four drivers (73%) only had their brakes checked during their vehicle’s annual service or MOT.

Mary Williams OBE, chief executive of Brake, said: “This research shows a shockingly low level of knowledge and concern among drivers when it comes to the safety of their vehicle, particularly ‘out of sight, out of mind’ components such as brakes which are so safety critical.

“Drivers seem to be placing far too much reliance on their annual MOT and passively relying on their garage to tell them when to replace components, rather than asking questions about level of wear and deciding to take action now rather than too late. 

“Drivers cannot abdicate responsibility for safety to their garage. If your vehicle causes a crash due to a mechanical defect, it will be you in the dock.”  

For further information contact Ellen Booth at Brake.
 

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