London - If you passed your driving test first time, you could be forgiven for thinking it made you safer on the road than someone who needed three attempts.
In fact, you’d be wrong – learner drivers who take three tests are safer than first-time passers, a report has revealed.
It said “overly confident” motorists who pass first time were most likely to be in an accident because they take more risks.
The report by the motor insurer LV= also found that those who have to take their driving test several times before passing are less likely to be pulled over for drink-driving or dangerous driving.
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The report says: “Third-time passers are least likely to be involved in collisions, bumps or scrapes, while overly confident first-time passers are the most likely to be involved in an accident.
“Despite the common belief, those who pass first time are not the safest drivers.”
OVER-CONFIDENCE
The study looked at the driving records of those who passed after one, two, three or four or more driving tests.
Researchers found a link between the number of tests a driver takes and the odds of being in an incident such as a collision or being caught driving dangerously.
They said: “Those who pass the driving test on their first attempt are arguably the worst drivers.
“This is thought to be down to over-confidence – with these drivers exhibiting the highest level of self-assurance in their driving ability and more likely to describe their driving as ‘perfect’.”
Of the more than 2000 motorists who took part in the survey, 53 percent had taken their driving test more than once.
The report added: “Third-time passers are more likely to describe their approach to driving as ‘safe’ and ‘cautious’.”
Daily Mail