Most drivers ‘feel they are superior behind the wheel’

10.39 | 29 January 2010 |

Most motorists fancy themselves as better drivers than others on the road, Canadian psychologists have found.

When Ottawa University researchers polled nearly 400 drivers ranging from the youngest to the very old, virtually all rated themselves favourably.

This was especially true when older drivers were used for comparison, even if the person questioned fell into that category themselves.

Young men felt the most superior. Middle-aged men rated themselves as better than similarly aged drivers, and far superior to younger and older motorists. Older drivers – aged 65 plus – felt most superior when they compared themselves with motorists of the same age.

Sylvain Gagnon, who carried out the research, said that although this confidence is good for the ego, it could have dangerous consequences.

He said: "If you think that you are a better driver, then perhaps you start behaving differently behind the wheel and do not pay as much attention as you should.

"This might explain why young men tend to have more accidents on the roads than other drivers."

Click here to read the full BBC News report.

 

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