UK motorists have personality crash

22nd June 2006

Being born ‘accident prone’ is a myth as it’s all to do with your personality, according to Direct Line.

Experts have unearthed five personality types more likely to be involved in the 10,000* UK car accidents that happen every day. And, according to the academic study commissioned by Direct Line, none of them involve simply being unlucky.

In fact, motorists hiding behind the ‘I’m just unlucky’ excuse can now take the Direct Line test online at www.directline.com/pdf/about_us/accidentpronequiz.pdf to find out if their personality steers them into accidents.

Cultured Britons belong to the ‘impulsive’ group of drivers whose imaginative and broad-minded approach to life means they’re more likely to make up the rules as they go along. And that’s not good news for avoiding accidents.

Meanwhile, the ‘Accident-Prone Myth’ report also reveals that, although worrywarts are naturally more safety-minded, they’re more likely to cause calamity on the roads. ‘Neurotic’ motorists are so wrapped up in their own worries they’re more easily distracted than other drivers. And they’re also most likely to react badly to stress, which affects their reaction times and judgement.

Fun loving, chatty people are also pushing up UK accident levels. Direct Line experts found that the ‘sensation- seeking’ group was less careful, had a lower attention span and were more thrill-seeking than other drivers. Outgoing types should also know that their accident potential increases during stretches of more boring motorway driving.

‘Me, me, me’ types are also veering into more problems on the road. This ‘irresponsible’ group is more likely to ignore the consequences of their actions, flout road rules and think only of the here and now.

Finally, the report conducted by think tank, the Centre for Future Studies, concluded that the Eastender Phil Mitchell types of the world are also, as suspected, more responsible for accidents. ‘Not agreeable’ types are more hostile, aggressive and emotional behind the wheel, leading to a higher risk of collision.

The Direct Line report was compiled from an academic literature review of 108 studies of driving behaviour and the causes of accidents.

Commenting on its findings, Emma Holyer, Direct Line said:“As one of the UK’s leading car insurers, we’re constantly looking into the issue of road safety and the cause of accidents. The Centre for Future Studies conducted the study to try and understand once and for all whether some people are just unlucky – or whether accidents can be more preventable. Hopefully, by uncovering these five personality types who are more prone to accidents, we can help motorists better understand their behaviour in terms of road safety and try not to let their personality traits rule their driving behaviour.

"Given the strength of our ‘Accident-Prone Myth’ findings, perhaps it might also be appropriate to include psychological testing as part of the driving test."

Dr Glenn Wilson, reader in personality, Institute of Psychiatry, added:"Over the years many psychologists have sought to identify an "accident-prone" personality that would explain why a small number of people account for the majority of accidents. They now realise that no single trait in itself predicts the likelihood of accidents. However, a constellation of several different traits does add up to an accident-prone person. These include irresponsibility, aggression, impulsiveness, sensation-seeking and neuroticism - traits which are tapped by standard personality questionnaires."

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

Emma Holyer/Direct Line Press Office
0208 256 2182 / 07725 944190
Email: emma.holyer@directline.com

Notes to Editors:

The Centre for Future studies is part of an international network of futurists and strategic planners advising organisations on how to understand and plan for possible and probable futures. It was commissioned by Direct Line to develop ‘Exposing the myth of the accident prone personality’ report.

*RAC Motoring Report 2004
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