Motorists colour-blind to traffic lights

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96 per cent of UK motorists do not understand basic traffic light signals1

New research released today shows that just four per cent of UK motorists polled can correctly identify the meaning of a full sequence of traffic light signals: red; red and amber; green; and amber2. In fact, a third of drivers polled (30 per cent) only managed to correctly identify one out of the four traffic light signals.

According to the research by esure car insurance1, when asked what motorists were most likely to do at a red and amber traffic light signal, just 10 per cent answered correctly i.e. that they should stop and not pass through or start moving until the green signal. Two thirds of those polled (66 per cent) answered that they would most likely ‘prepare to go’ when given this traffic light signal.

Worryingly, there are an estimated 330,0003 motorists who think that a red traffic light signal means that they should prepare to go!

Over three quarters (77 per cent) of motorists questioned said that they had sped up on the approach to a set of green traffic lights to try and get through the junction before the lights changed. One in seven (14 per cent) admitted that they do this on a regular basis, while almost a third (31 per cent) confessed that they had done this several times.

62 per cent of motorists surveyed said that they had driven through a red light at least once – even if just by accident, with four per cent admitting that they had done so several times.

Mike Pickard, Head of Risk and Underwriting at esure car insurance, said: "The fact that millions of UK motorists are unable to correctly identify the basic traffic light signals they encounter on a daily basis is a huge cause for concern. It's also worrying that so many admit to speeding up at lights to try to avoid having to wait or even jump a red deliberately - as this can put other road-users and pedestrians at risk."

esure advises all motorists to make sure they brush up on their knowledge of the Highway Code so that they are driving as safely as possible and approach sets of traffic lights with care and caution."

Regional differences

Motorists in Yorkshire scored the worst when it came to correctly identifying all traffic light signals – 13 per cent identified none of the signals correctly. However, Welsh motorists proved that they know their Highway Code well, with 11 per cent understanding all four traffic light signals.

Motorists in London are the worst culprits when it comes to driving through red traffic lights, with 66 per cent of those polled admitting that they have done so at least once (even if only by accident) compared to 51 per cent of motorists in the West Midlands.

Gender divide

Female motorists are more cautious than their male counterparts, with 57 per cent admitting that they had driven through a red traffic light signal at least once, compared to two thirds (66 per cent) of male drivers.

esure's press contacts:

For further information please contact the esure press office at Mischief PR on 020 7100 9999 or email esure@mischiefpr.com

An ISDN line is available for radio interviews.

Notes to Editors:

  1. esure used the independent online research company FlyResearch who surveyed 1,000 of the UK's motorists, from across the country aged 18 and over, on 2nd April 2009. 96 per cent is equivalent to 32 million UK motorists incorrectly identifying the legal definition of all four traffic light signals based on DfT Transport Statistics – 33,956,832 motor vehicles currently licensed 2007
  2. The four main traffic light signals and their correct legal meanings are as follows:
    Red light – Stop and wait behind the stop line
    Red and amber light (after red) – Stop. Don't pass through or start until green light shows
    Green light – Go ahead if the way is clear
    Amber light (after green) – Stop unless you have crossed the stop line or you are so close to it that stopping may cause an accident
    Information taken from the Official Highway Code – Revised 2007 edition, p102
  3. Estimated 330,000 = 1 per cent of total UK motorists based on DfT Transport Statistics – 33,956,832 motor vehicles currently licensed 2007.

About esure:

esure was launched in 2001. The company offers car, home, pet and travel insurance over the internet and by phone. esure also offers car insurance cover through the brands Halifax, Sainsbury's, Sheilas' Wheels and more recently home insurance through the Sheilas' Wheels brand.

Sponsorship:

esure has secured two of the UK's most iconic sponsorships: the ITV National and Channel 4 Weather bulletins.