Women's Car Insurance
Women 'less likely to rubber-neck'
Wed, 12 Apr 2006
Women in the UK are less likely than men to slow down and stare at the scene of a crash, according to a new poll.
Research by breakdown group Green Flag reveals that motorists risk causing further accidents and traffic tailbacks by 'rubbernecking' at the scene of crashes.
One in twenty of those polled reported having a 'prang' at the scene of an accident because they had been distracted and a quarter of those involved in a crash said they felt "embarrassed" by other motorists staring at them.
Men are the worst culprits for rubbernecking at accidents, with twice as many men as women claiming to stare at crashes. Two thirds (68 per cent) of male drivers quizzed watch televisions shows about car accidents and high-speed chases, compared with just one in ten female motorists.
A spokesman for Green Flag said: "This survey is a real eye-opener. It might be tempting to have a quick look out the window at a accident but it is vital for safety that drivers keep their eyes on the road at all times. You are only adding to the initial problem by slowing down and causing more of an obstruction to other road users by slowing down."
The survey of 3,000 motorists found that more than two-thirds admitted to having 'a good look' at road accidents, while one in ten claimed to have actually stopped to look at a crash scene. A tenth of respondents claimed to be annoyed by accidents delaying traffic.
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