Insurers launch T-Plate scheme to encourage more co-operative driving

THOUSANDS of young Scottish drivers regularly feel intimidated by older motorists’ aggressive behaviour, according to a study.

The intimidation is so bad that nearly a third of the 17 to 25-year-olds quizzed feel unsafe behind the wheel, the research by Co-op Insurance shows.

Now the pioneer of telematic “black boxes”, which encourage youngsters to drive responsibly and within the law, is to pilot a “T-Plate” scheme to help them feel safer on the roads.

Backed by the Brake road safety charity and RED driving school, the aim is to educate and encourage all motorists to drive safely and considerately. The in-depth Beyond the Box report into driving behaviours questioned thousands of motorists UK-wide.

It revealed Scotland’s young drivers frequently encounter negative experiences. Some 59 per cent say they have been overtaken when it wasn’t safe to do so, while 58 per cent have had other motorists driving too close to them.

Aside of 40 per cent feeling pressed to drive faster, 35 per cent have felt pressured to pull out unsafely at a junction and 34 per cent have been confronted with rude hand gestures.

With 26 per cent of young Scottish drivers experiencing such thoughtless behaviour on a weekly basis, 48 per cent said it makes them feel nervous and 31 per cent actually felt unsafe.

Perhaps backing up their claims, 33 per cent of Scottish motorists aged 26-plus admitted they were not mindful of others on the roads.

And 82 per cent often get frustrated by other road users, with 45 per cent admitting to illegally sounding their horns at others when angry.

Meanwhile, 37 per cent of more mature motorists have flashed their lights in frustration at another vehicle and 29 per cent have sworn at another driver.

When asked what would help young drivers feel safer on the roads, 50 per cent said they wished other motorists knew they were driving with a black box and so must drive responsibly.

And while 64 per cent of motorists are aware of black boxes, nothing currently exists to indicate if someone is driving with telematics. So now Co-op Insurance is launching a nationwide “T-Plate” pilot scheme.

Looking similar to an L or a P-plate, the badge will indicate to other road users that the vehicle is fitted with a black box and so that car will be driven safely, to the speed limit and in line with the law – something that every driver should do anyway.

Callum Smith, from Aberdeenshire, 21, one of Co-op’s young drivers who is taking part in the T-Plate pilot, said: “I am often made to feel like I’m in the wrong by other drivers for sticking to the right speed. It’s really annoying and can make me quite angry.

“If they knew I had a black box, I think they would ease up a bit and consider the fact that I’m driving slower than them because I’m following the speed limit.”

Co-op Insurance boss Charles Offord said: “It’s unacceptable that so many young drivers are feeling pressured by others on the roads.

“Instead of being role-models, too many older drivers are exacerbating what is already a testing time for new and less-experienced road users. Young drivers want other motorists to understand a black box is fitted and that’s why we’re launching the T-plate.”

Encouragingly, 60 per cent of the Co-op’s young drivers said the T-Plate would make them feel less pressured, 47 per cent believe it would change the way other motorists behave and 18 per cent said it would make them feel more confident.

Brake director of campaigns Joshua Harris said: “Telematics can play a vital role in nudging young motorists to drive more safely. But this needs to be aided by the behaviour of more experienced drivers, who must avoid aggressive driving and show patience.”