Motorists are going to great lengths to avoid basic driving manoeuvres which learners are required to carry out in order to pass their driving tests, according to research.
The survey of 1,011 British motorists carried out by car leasing company, Vantage-leasing.com, has revealed that more than half (68%) of drivers will actively avoid parallel parking, and instead look for alternative parking spaces to avoid doing so – with many even being willing to park in a space that would add 3.6 minutes onto their journey, on average.
Parallel parking was also revealed to be the most difficult driving manoeuvre, with 76% of the votes.
A turn in the road – or three-point turn – came in second place, with 63% of the vote.
Meanwhile, reversing around a corner followed close behind in third place with 61%.
Bay parking was problematic for 55%, while 35% didn’t not feel confident carrying out an emergency stop.
James Buttrick, Senior Leasing Consultant at Vantage-leasing.com said, “It’s quite interesting to see how many drivers in the UK are not confident carrying out the manoeuvres that many will have been taught and tested on when learning to drive.
“It’s also quite concerning that more than 1 in 3 cited the crucial emergency stop as a problem manoeuvre, giving the role this can play in preventing and minimising accidents.
“Motorists should take the time to make themselves more familiar with the manoeuvres they are not confident in completing – whether that be practising on a quiet road or car park, or even taking refresher driving lessons with a driving instructor, to recap on technique.