New findings from National Accident Helpline reveal a significant mismatch between how confident drivers feel and how safely they actually behave on the road. The driver confidence research highlights issues that should concern all professional trainers, particularly around risk perception, ongoing education and overreliance on vehicle technology.
Confidence versus collision risk
The study shows that 86% of male drivers say they feel safe behind the wheel, compared with 78% of female drivers. Yet Government collision data tells a very different story, with men accounting for 76% of all road fatalities and 61% of casualties in 2024.
Older motorists exhibit extremely high levels of confidence, with 97% of drivers aged 80 and above reporting that they feel safe. However, fatalities among drivers aged 70 and over made up 22% of the total in 2024, mirroring rates seen among 17–29-year-olds, who are notably less confident.
Tests and training concerns
Although 64% of drivers think they would pass the practical test again, almost half rely heavily on reversing cameras and report difficulty with manual manoeuvres, despite these tools only being permitted as aids during the test. Confidence is also inconsistent with actual performance; while 70% of men feel they would pass again, Government data from early 2024 shows women outperforming men, with pass rates of 48% and 44% respectively.
Knowledge gaps
Eighty-four percent of drivers accept they must keep up with Highway Code changes, yet fewer than a third actively do so. Uptake varies sharply by age, with 33% of 17–24-year-olds revisiting the Code within the last six months, compared with only 10% of drivers aged 55 and above.
This reinforces a pattern instructors often observe: the drivers who stay most up to date with rules tend to report lower confidence, while those with outdated knowledge often feel most assured.
Weather and hazard perception
Poor conditions have a clear influence on confidence. Almost one in three drivers feel unsafe in bad weather, with women and younger drivers particularly sensitive to changing conditions. Men consistently report feeling safe regardless of weather, a pattern that should prompt concerns around underestimating risk.
Implications for ADIs and PDIs
The findings underline the importance of supporting learners and full licence holders in developing realistic self-assessment and a stronger grasp of risk. For trainers, this research presents an opportunity to reinforce:
- The value of regular refresher learning
- The importance of reflective practice
- Honest conversations about limitations
- Reduced reliance on technology during core manoeuvres
Legal Operations Director at National Accident Helpline, John Kushnick, emphasised the need for intervention to close the gap between perceived and actual competence, warning that failing to do so risks normalising preventable incidents on UK roads.
