Does the behaviour and attitudes of parents on the road actually have a hand in the future deaths of their children?

Is this a bit extreme? Or is it much closer to the truth?

Recently my experiences on our roads with a driving school in Sutton have brought this subject to the forefront of my mind. I ponder the questions, ‘Why do some young people drive like they do? Do they not see the dangers to themselves and others? Where do they get their driving habits?’ ‘Friends’ would be the obvious answer - bad influences. But after a thorough self-examination, I’ll feel one answer in particular is much closer to the truth.

Since becoming a driving instructor, peoples driving behaviour has become somewhat of a fascination. After all, I now spend the best part off 9 hours on the road each day and have been on the end of many poor driving decisions. How many times do you find yourself shaking your head and tutting quietly at an act of impatience or sheer stupidity in front of you?

So why has this been on my mind so much? Well, because I used to drive in exactly the same way. In fact, the driving style of my youth represents perfectly all I now loath about our roads.

Over the years you occasionally hear in the media how your driving style directly effects how your children will drive as soon as they pass their practical test. Like most I suspect, I’ve never before given this notion much thought, completely disregarded it even. I became a driving instructor in 2008 and am responsible for getting well over 100 people on the road. I must say that the majority have a very sensible attitude towards driving. It’s just unfortunate that the minority still account for very large number in terms of the millions of road users. And then I wonder how many of those good attitudes then change for the worse once they’re out of my car?

Another reason for my thoughts are the fact I’m due to become a father for the first time in the summer this year, and like most other parents I’ve been looking (far) ahead to the day they learn to drive and face the dangers most of us do every day.

A few days ago for the first time in ages, I set out for a 2 hour journey with one of my parents at the wheel. It was like turning back the clock 11 years to when I gained my licence. It was the first time for a long time I’d actually felt a little uncomfortable in a car. Amongst others the offending actions were tailgating all the time, sometimes at high speeds with the occasional light flash to bully someone out the way, unnecessary overtaking, and generally a very short temper. Suddenly I realised the absolute truth in the thought a parents driving DOES directly affect their children.

The problem is, an experienced driver can act like this and usually get away with it. With maybe just a few frayed nerves and billows of steam coming out their ears ready to fight their next road battle another day. But for an inexperienced driver there might not be another day. They won’t have the control, especially at speed, or the capacity to make the quick decisions that may be required due to their actions. Decisions which could actually result in being life-saving.

Now we have to ask ourselves, thinking of the many young lives taken away due to an avoidable car crash - If their parents had better attitudes towards the road, other road users, and even more importantly the speed limits – would they still be alive? I think with no hesitation whatsoever the answer is, yes. I certainly drove like I did because it was the norm. It was all I knew. That’s how you drive in the ‘real world’ right?

One way of helping of course is for further training to be taken after the driving test. The Pass Plus scheme is good for this as it includes motorways, country roads, and simply other areas further a field to where you might go during a lesson. I find people who take this course to be hugely more capable afterwards and far more ready to enjoy the freedom of the roads. It’s a shame in more recent times the course has lost popularity as most insurance companies no longer offer any sort of discount.

It’s my personal view, the 6 hours required to be undertaken to complete Pass Plus should be compulsory. Further to this I feel the Speed Awareness course undertaken as a penalty to avoid points after being caught speeding should also be included in training new drivers. Some of the photos shown and case studies would at the very least make them think, even just for a moment

Until then, I’m afraid it’s just down to the parents to try and convey a good road attitude from an early age. Leave earlier, drive slower, and be the bigger person. So here’s to hoping attitudes change. But unfortunately, I rather feel they never will.