Are drivers worse post‑lockdown? | Axon’s Automotive Anorak

Thankfully I managed to slam on the anchors and take evasive action to avoid hitting the Audi driver who then ignored my tooting horn, going on their merry way, seemingly oblivious to the potential pile-up and mayhem they had almost just caused. Their appalling road sense was so non-existent that I actually took a note of the Q5’s registration number and reported it to the police for dangerous driving (for the very first time in my long driving career), so serious was the incident and the driver’s complete lack of awareness. My heart is still pounding hard from the shock of the moment!

This unfortunate episode is one of an increasing number of excruciatingly shoddy driving incidents I (plus countless others) have experienced over the last few weeks and months, since motorists have gradually returned to the UK’s highways post-pandemic lockdowns.

During Britain’s initial Spring 2020 lockdown, our roads were eerily quiet, motorists taking heed the UK Government’s understandable warnings to restrict road use to essential journeys only. For months, as an occasional pedestrian or cycling (keeping the car under lock and key at home), the commonality of vehicles on our roads per hour could virtually be counted on the fingers of one hand. As a rough comparison to help illustrate the point, for example, in 2019 I drove more than 24,000 miles in my prime everyday car. In 2020 I covered under 6,000 miles, with the majority of those driven during the first few weeks of last year, prior to the first lockdown of late-March 2020.   

Now however, as the country thankfully moves a few leaps and bounds closer to a degree of pre-Covid-19 ‘normality,’ British traffic levels are gradually returning to pre-pandemic heights, with road queues and rush hour traffic peaks (unheard of just a few months ago) now becoming the norm once more. Sadly through these increasing traffics levels though, it is quickly becoming apparent that Britain’s already-deteriorating driving standards are now rapidly declining, as evidenced by that Audi Q5 imbecile assaulting a roundabout without due care and attention just a few moments ago.

Based on some very recent research commissioned by vehicle insurance specialists, Compare The Market, it would seem that I am not alone in noticing declining road craft and being concerned about the quality of other people’s driving standards of late, as many British motorists prepare to return to the roads for the first time in some time when the next set of coronavirus travel curbs are finally lifted.
The research results make for interesting but concerning reading, revealing that over half of British motorists questioned have driven their cars less during the most recent lockdown between January and April 2021. Since then, 42 per cent of the motorists surveyed have now begun driving more often as initial restrictions have been lifted with shops, schools, restaurants and so on re-opening.

Only around one in three motorists surveyed feel nervous about their own ability behind the wheel after a long sedentary period of absence. However, far more drivers are nervous about the abilities of other drivers after a long period off the road, with three quarters concerned about the ability of other out-of-practice road users and ‘rusty’ drivers who have barely used their vehicles in months, especially driving longer distances at higher speeds on motorways and major trunk roads.

Younger, less experienced motorists are the most worried about returning behind the wheel with a reported 55 per cent of those aged 25 and under feeling nervous about their ability to drive safely again. Post lockdown restriction easing, more than eight in ten young drivers are also concerned about the abilities of other fellow road users.

As well as some drivers feeling rusty and out of practice, the potentially poor mechanical state of many vehicles returning to our roads is a worry too, with many cars neglected during the lockdowns through a lack of servicing and regular use, with everyday items such as tyres, brakes, lighting, lubricants, and so on, left idle for many months and now going unchecked before motorists venture back out on to the highways for the first time in a while.

The research revealed that almost one in three drivers are concerned about the safety of their vehicles as 16 per cent of motorists confess that they did not check any aspect of their car during the latest lockdown.

Only 39 per cent checked their brakes during this time and 36 per cent checked the battery. The item most people checked on their cars were the tyres, which were often found to be dangerously low on pressure, or flat!

Over the next few weeks, half of motorists questioned plan to drive more if the next set of travel restrictions are lifted on or around 19^th July onwards, the latest day suggested by the Government (data willing) earlier this week. Of these, 52 per cent plan to visit friends more often and 59 per cent plan to see family members.

In addition, 44 per cent of these drivers are planning to explore other parts of the UK, with 34 per cent planning to go to more restaurants, pubs and cinemas. One in five of these drivers say that they are also planning to return to commuting to work by driving.

However, some 15 per cent of British motorists plan to drive less after the next set of Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. The main reasons cited for cutting down on driving are wanting to walk more often to save money on fuel and exercise, plus no longer needing a car to commute to work.

Commenting in the revealing findings of this recent research Dan Hutson, comparethemarket.com’s Head of Motor Insurance, says: “Millions of motorists may be feeling a bit rusty after not driving as frequently while travel restrictions were in place. However, it seems concern is directed towards other drivers rather than people nervous about the quality of their own driving. Our research shows experienced drivers may be feeling fine to get behind the wheel again, but many young motorists are concerned their abilities may not be up to scratch.”

Hutson continues: “Any out-of-practice drivers might think about getting refresher lessons before driving again more regularly. It’s also really important for all motorists to check their car before driving if they haven’t used it for a while – this includes checking the tyres, brakes and fluid levels, as well as ensuring that insurance, tax and MoT (where required) are up to date.”

Whether my moronic near-miss ‘friend’ in their junction-charging Audi Q5 chariot will take notice of any of this sound advice, I have my doubts, and I sincerely hope for your sake (and other road users) that you don’t bump into them (as it were) when