Older drivers more likely to be nervous after passing their test than young motorists
Around 130,000 over-30s pass their test every year
PA
Older drivers have been found to be more nervous at the wheel when they pass their test compared to young people, according to new research.
Half of Britons who pass their test once they have turned 30 admitted that they feel nervous when driving after passing their test.
Every year around 130,000 people who are over the age of 30 pass their driving test, with tens of thousands of new motorists seemingly struggling with nerves.
Those who pass their driving test at a younger age are not as nervous, with only 37 per cent dealing with anxiety at the wheel.
Almost six in 10 motorists admitted that they avoid difficult manoeuvres
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Almost six in 10 motorists admitted that they avoid difficult manoeuvres including right turns, parallel parks and hill starts.
Half also said they were concerned about driving in the daytime, with 39 per cent saying they will only drive in silence.
For many new drivers, silence helps them concentrate solely on the road and avoid any unnecessary distractions like music, podcasts or telephone calls.
These coping mechanisms can help them build the confidence they need to safely navigate the roads and get more experience behind the wheel.
The main reason for people over 30 learning how to drive includes coping with demands from work or family, as well as wanting to travel further away.
Even some smaller car mistakes are plaguing drivers from being confident on the road, with 56 per cent worried about publicly stalling the car.
Others include hitting the kerb, rolling backward on a hill and mistiming a roundabout as more than 43 per cent of people listing these fears.
Nicholas Mantel, motor lead for Churchill Insurance, reassured new drivers that their worries would eventually subside by continuing to drive and practice their abilities.
He continued, saying: “We often forget that there’s a large proportion of people who, for lots of different reasons, don’t get round to learning to drive until later in life, and it’s easy to think that with age comes confidence.
“Often, a calming passenger or even rolling the window down for some fresh air can alleviate nerves.
“Our Keep Calm and Drive On campaign aims to help drivers who pass later in life know that they are not alone and provides advice to help them find ways to chill so their confidence grows and they enjoy the benefits that come with driving.”
The motoring experts are also suggesting that drivers should plan their route ahead of time to ensure there are no surprises on their journey, which could lead to them becoming more nervous by not being in full control.
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Most drivers are learning to drive to cope with work and family
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Another more unique tip includes choosing a fragrance or scent for their car, allowing the motorist to feel more comfortable behind the wheel.
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