Little Car, Little... Regard for Road Rules

    MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, March 28, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Leading national insurer AAMI has discovered a new technique for drivers to predict if another driver is likely to get aggressive; just take a look at the size of their car. Research released today has found "Small Car Syndrome" is rife on Australian roads.

Data revealed in AAMI's research shows that drivers of smaller cars are more likely to use aggressive or reckless tactics on the roads. One possibility is that aggressive behaviours compensate for the limited size of their car.

"Because of the rising cost of motoring we're seeing a trend toward smaller cars becoming popular, so it's worrying if people feel the need to overcompensate for their smaller assets by displaying risky driving behaviours," says David Skapinker, AAMI Corporate Affairs.

"Drivers of small cars are significantly more likely to gesture rudely and deliver a mouthful of verbal abuse towards another driver, and they're also significantly more likely to tailgate than drivers of larger cars.

"We've all seen them on the road, the little hatch or small sedan, darting in and out of traffic and getting upset when another driver either takes them to task on their conduct or for simply driving at the speed limit," says Mr Skapinker.

"Regardless of what size or kind of car you drive, the road rules apply to everyone. We all have a responsibility to stay safe on the roads."

Unlike another particularly famous syndrome involving size, young, female drivers may be the most likely to display symptoms of Small Car Syndrome as the highest proportion of small car drivers are females aged 18 - 24 years old.

AAMI's research also found that it's not only aggressive behaviour that is symptomatic of Small Car Syndrome. Drivers in smaller cars are also more likely to take part in reckless driving behaviours such as driving after taking illegal drugs, using their mobile to check emails and sending or reading a text while they're driving. Overall significantly more drivers of smaller cars admit to sometimes driving dangerously (75%), than those of larger cars (67%).

About the research
Newspoll Market & Social Research conducted an independent online survey on behalf of AAMI of 3,740 current drivers, 18 years of age and older, across all states and territories in 2011. Of these 328 drove a smaller car (2 or 3 door hatch or sedan), and 2384 drove a larger car (4 or 5 door hatch or sedan). Collected data has been weighted in line with current ABS population demographics to ensure any extrapolation of results is representative of age sex and area.

About AAMI
AAMI is a leader in car insurance, recognised as an industry innovator providing award-winning products and customer service. AAMI has become synonymous with road safety and invests in both customer and academic research around unsafe driving behaviours, as well as rewarding customers through benefits like Safe Driver Rewards. Australian Associated Motor Insurers Ltd (AAMI), ABN 92 004 791 744. Visit the AAMI website.

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