New research from AIG Insurance shows young female drivers are the most likely to suffer from road rage among Irish motorists.
The survey reveals that 61 per cent of female motorists aged between 25 and 34 have suffered from road rage at some point. Among males the age group that acknowledge experiencing it most are 35 to 44-year-olds (46 per cent ) while overall over one in three (36 per cent ) say they have suffered from its effects.
The survey also reveals that 61 per cent of male drivers aged 18 to 24 say they break the speed limit at least once a week, with 26 per cent saying they break the limit daily. In comparison 13 per cent of 18 to 24-year-old females say they speed daily, while that figure rises to 39 per cent weekly. Across all age groups 38 per cent say they break the legal limit at least once a week.
The research was carried out in March among 427 drivers aged 18 to 64 (55 per cent male/ 45 per cent female ) ahead of the launch of AIG’s new XLNTdriver app. The app, which is designed to reward safe driving behaviours and help drivers avoid bad habits, is primarily targeted at drivers under 35.
Customers who qualify get an upfront 30 per cent discount on their car insurance premium for taking the app. The XLNTdriver app then monitors the users’ driving habits and gives additional discounts based on the driving results* thereby encouraging them to become safer drivers.
While other drivers make most people angry (59 per cent of respondents ), other annoying factors are bad parking (29 per cent ) and traffic jams (26 per cent ). The bad driving of others is also ranked as the biggest distraction by motorists at 64 per cent, while mobile phones (26 per cent ) and passengers (14 per cent ) come in second and third.
Interestingly 95 per cent of those who responded to the survey rate themselves as safe drivers with little deviation across age brackets or gender.
General manager of AIG in Ireland, Declan O’Rourke, commented: “AIG is committed to promoting safer driving in Ireland, and we want to stress the need for all drivers to take more care. Our commitment to road safety is illustrated by development of our XLNTdriver app.
“It’s clear from the research carried out that bad driver behaviour, particularly speeding, is an ongoing problem and anything that can be done to alleviate this is a step in the right direction.
“The XLNTdriver app rewards safer driving and encourages drivers to improve their driving habits. AIG hopes this in turn will help lead to safer roads.”
