Despite the Highway Code stating that, as a motorist, you should be “particularly patient” with learner drivers, findings from a new survey by the AA Driving School show that not enough of us are.

For instance, 11% of drivers surveyed say that they don’t leave enough space between themselves and the learn driver they are following behind. Worse still, 2% admit that they even tailgate.

If your car has a P Plate, the issue becomes even worse with 29% of drivers not giving enough space or tailgating.

Can’t wait, won’t wait

The AA’s research also reveals that 25% of drivers are more likely to overtake a learner (with that figure rocketing to 49% in Northern Ireland) with 14% saying they are more likely to get impatient when following a learner.

In fact, some motorists consider the idea of being behind a learner so frustrating that 18% confess they are more likely to change their route to avoid driving behind a car with an L plate.

Thankfully, the survey does reveal that motorists can be considerate in certain circumstances with 67% stating that they are more likely to give way to a learner.

Guilty party

Perhaps most surprisingly, the survey reveals the drivers who are most likely to display bad behaviour towards to learners are… younger drivers.

“It’s alarming that so many drivers don’t give learners the respect they deserve when they meet them on the roads,” says Camilla Benitz, Managing Director of the AA Driving School. “Especially worrying is that the age group most guilty of this are the ones who have recently passed their tests.”

Being considerate, patient and safe is especially important as Rule 217 of the Highway Code states that learners “may not be so skilful at anticipating and responding to events."

“It’s important other road users treat learners, and new drivers, with patience and sympathy – after all, they were in their shoes once. A bit of extra room can help ease the pressure on a new or learner driver, as well as giving you more space and time to react should they do something unexpected.”

• Camilla Benitz, Managing Director, AA Driving School

Know Your Code

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