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32% of motorists try to avoid completing driving manoeuvres
65% of drivers admit to having dreaded the prospect of demonstrating their car manoeuvring skills
75% of London-based motorists admitted fearing at least one manoeuvre ahead of their driving test
One in three (32%) motorists try to avoid completing driving manoeuvres for fear of getting them wrong, according to new research1 from Kwik-Fit. Parallel parking tops the list of most commonly avoided manoeuvres with 30% of drivers admitting to giving it a miss whenever possible.
The study, commissioned by the UK’s leading automotive servicing and repair company, found that motorists’ fear of putting their car through various manoeuvres peaks during their driving test but often never entirely leaves them even after many years of experience. Two-thirds (65%) of drivers admit to having dreaded the prospect of demonstrating their car manoeuvring skills during their test with parallel parking (28%) coming top, ahead of reverse parking (22%) and hill starts (15%).
Given the busy traffic conditions, not surprisingly London-based motorists were the most likely to lose sleep over driving test manoeuvres, with three quarters (75%) admitting to fearing at least one manoeuvre ahead of their driving test. Motorists in Yorkshire and Humberside and the East of England (62%) were the least affected by the prospect.
Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, said: “Many motorists never lose their fear of having to drive alongside another car and parallel or reverse-park behind it and often try to avoid it outright. It’s particularly trialling during the driving test but even once a green licence has been swapped for the pink version, few drivers like the feeling of trying to squeeze into a gap between two cars with other drivers waiting impatiently behind you.
“Getting it wrong can lead to wheel rims and tyres getting badly damaged by the kerb so it’s well worth investing the time to perfect it. Drivers who are concerned about any damage they may have caused by a parking misdemeanour can visit their local Kwik Fit centre where the team would be happy to provide a free inspection.”
Percentage of motorists who dreaded manoeuvres during their driving test:
Manoeuvre
Percentage dreading this
Parallel park
28%
Reverse park
22%
Hill start
16%
Three-point turn
11%
Emergency stop
10%
All of them
8%
Percentage of motorists likely to avoid driving manoeuvres:
Manoeuvre
Percentage dreading this
Parallel park
30%
Reverse park
15%
Emergency stop
11%
Hill star
8%
Three-point turn
4%
All of them
8%
Drivers can find a wide range of advice and tips on car maintenance by visiting kwik-fit.com. For the latest news and updates from Kwik Fit, customers can also follow the company on Twitter at @kwik_fit.
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Notes to editors
Sources:
1 - Research carried out by ICM amongst a nationally representative sample of 2009 GB adults aged 18+
About Kwik Fit
Established in 1971, the Kwik Fit Group is one of the largest independent automotive parts, repair and replacement specialists in the world. Kwik Fit has over 600 service centres across the UK and more than 200 mobile tyre fitting vehicles, making it the UK’s leading tyre, exhaust, brake and MoT specialist. Details of its range of products and services can be found at kwik-fit.com
Your tyre size can be found on the sidewall of your current tyre and is a sequence of numbers and letters. The most common tyre size in the UK is 205/55R16 but there are many variations so it’s important to check your existing tyre first before searching for tyres.
Tip: Take a photo of your existing tyre sidewall to make it easier to identify your tyre size using the guide below.
The first three digits. This displays the width of the tyre in millimetres. A tyre marked 225 will measure 225mm across the tread from sidewall to sidewall.
Aspect Ratio
The fourth and fifth digits of the tyre code that immediately follow the tyre width. The aspect ratio or profile height of the tyre sidewall is expressed as a percentage of the tyre width. So an aspect ratio of 55 for example means that the profile height of the tyre is 55% of its width.
Rim Diameter
The next two digits represent the size of the wheel rim that the tyre can be fitted to. It is also the diameter of the tyre from bead to bead. So a tyre marked 16 will fit on a 16-inch wheel rim.
Speed Rating
The speed rating of a tyre is represented by a letter of the alphabet at the end of the tyre size code and indicates the maximum speed capability of the tyre. Tyres receive a speed rating based on a series of tests which measure the tyres capability to handle a set speed for a prolonged period of time.
Select your tyre speed rating to find out the maximum speed your tyres can maintain.
If you are unsure what speed rating you need, be sure to check your vehicle handbook. Choosing a lower speed rating than that recommended by your vehicle manufacturer could potentially invalidate your insurance.
Load Rating
The load index provides information on the maximum weight capability for the tyre. The load index is a numerical code that can be located just after the tyre size marking and before the speed rating.
Select your load index to find out the maximum load capability for your tyres.
Although not illegal, it is not advisable to have tyres with a lower speed rating or load index than the manufacturer recommended tyre specification for your vehicle, or to have a combination of different tyre construction types. Consult your vehicle handbook to confirm your vehicle’s tyre speed rating and load index as well as any additional requirements.
Contact our team for help and advice with a new or existing booking. We’ll help direct your enquiry to the appropriate department.
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