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Southport Reporter® covering the news on Merseyside.

Date:- 10 April 2006

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Too Scared to Stop?

CONCERNS for personal safety on Britain's roads are so bad that over 60% of North West drivers would not stop to help at an accident if travelling by themselves

Research for car hire company carrentals.co.uk has highlighted growing concern among motorists for personal safety on Britain's roads, with just 38% of North West drivers willing to stop and help at an accident if by themselves.

The research among nearly 1,000 drivers for the company's Road Sense road safety campaign, looked at the actions that would be taken by motorists if driving alone and if confronted with certain situations, with the results highlighting a range of fears particularly among female drivers.

With growing concerns over personal safety on Britain's roads the research found that male drivers are now more than twice as likely as women to stop to help at an accident if by themselves, with 65% of men saying they would stop, compared to 28% of women.

Personal safety is also a key concern when faced with the issue of picking up a hitch-hiker, with just 9% of North West drivers saying they would stop if alone. Nationally 12% of men said they would stop if by themselves, compared to just 0.5% of women, underlining the perceived dangers now linked to this activity.  Women are also more security conscious with 43% saying they would check inside and around the car before getting in, while 32% of men check around their vehicle when alone.

When driving by themselves 57% of North West drivers said they would keep their doors locked and windows rolled up. Preparation before setting off on a journey is also highlighted as increasingly important, with 86% of all North West drivers stating they would ensure their mobile phone was charged, and 80% planning their route and checking the map before departure.

When asked about what action would be taken when faced with Road Bullying, women are most likely to stop at the first garage/service station if threatened on the road, followed by phoning the police. In third place was taking a different route to get away from the other driver, followed by calling a friend/family member. Of most concern is that 18% would speed up to try to get away from the situation, while 1.5% would stop to confront the other driver.

Male lone drivers are most likely to call the police if threatened on the roads, followed by stopping at the first garage/service station, and then taking another route to get away from the driver. However over 7% of men would stop to confront the other driver - more than the number who would call a friend/family member - and 22% would choose to speed up to get away from the situation.

Andrew Stevens, managing director of carrentals.co.uk, said:- "The results of this research highlight the fear that now exists on our roads. We are very pleased to see that so many drivers, both men and women, are aware of security issues, however it also highlights how bad our roads have become when drivers are afraid to stop and help at an accident if driving alone.  We have all heard reports of bullying on our roads, but more advice does need to be provided on this issue. The fact that nearly 10% of men would stop to confront another driver who has been threatening them on the road is worrying, as this would never be recommended. Our Road Sense campaign is designed to build awareness and offer advice on issues such as this, and we hope that by highlighting the concerns of drivers more will start to be done to address the issue."

The research is part of carrentals.co.uk Road Sense 2006 campaign, designed to build awareness for safety and security on the roads. Visit:- www.carrentals.co.uk/roadsense for more information and to take advantage of a range of offers for female drivers, together with a series of downloadable advice tips.

Letter to editor:- "A subject matter I find disgusting. Dog Remains."

"I have sent in these photo's of a subject matter I find disgusting. I feel publicity should be given to this matter as I feel that this kind of disposal of an animal is totally unexceptable in this day and age, particularly with recent exposures in other publications on animal cruelty. I would appreciate support in bringing this matter to public attention." Clair Mills from Merseyside.

What do you our readers think?  Email us today your views on this topic to news24@southportreporter.com.

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