Complacent drivers put others at risk

As many as 69 per cent of drivers admit putting others in danger by breaking traffic laws, the study by road safety charity Brake and insurers Direct Line found.

Yet nearly all of those questioned (99 per cent) reckoned they were comparatively safe.

Using responses from 1,000 drivers, the survey found that 35 per cent said they broke laws because they believed they could handle the situations, while 33 per cent admitted not paying enough attention at the wheel.

Only 1 per cent said they knew they were taking risks but drove recklessly anyway.

Also, 5 per cent said the roads were full of dangerous drivers and there were hardly any safe drivers, while only 1 per cent reckoned the roads were full of safe drivers.

Brake deputy chief executive Julie Townsend said: “It is deeply concerning so many drivers break vital traffic laws, yet still believe they are safe.

“Anyone who thinks they can handle speeding, using a phone at the wheel or drink-driving is fooling themselves and taking an appalling chance with people’s lives.”

She added: “Traffic laws exist to protect people from death and injury, and staying within them is a fundamental responsibility for everyone who drives.”

A Direct Line spokesman said: “Drivers continue to flout the rules of the road without realising the devastating impact their actions can have. “