In a frightening piece of research from Marks & Spencer Car Insurance, it was revealed that many drivers who pick up their shiny cars from the garage forecourt do not fully understand how they work.

The research coincided with the new ‘10’ registration plate vehicles which were out on sale on 1 March, 2010.

And Marks & Spencer are worried.

A spokesperson said:
“Whether it’s a brand new car or a used vehicle, most garages should talk you through a vehicle before you drive it away. To avoid taking risks and potentially causing an accident, it is important to take time to familiarize yourself with the features of a car that’s new to you.”

Their report shows that only just over 10% of drivers will fully examine the car’s manual before setting off for the first time.

What’s more, well over a third of drivers taking their new car out for a first spin, don’t even turn one page of the manual. And just over a half give if the merest glance whilst flicking through the pages.

And what might surprise many, is that women and more guilty of this than men. The research found out that some 40% of woman drive away without consulting the manual, as opposed to around 30% of men.

Such is the supposed confidence of many men, some 20%, that they rely on figuring out the controls as they drive, which does little for concerns over safety as they no doubt drive whilst ‘fiddling’ their way around various essential items like windscreen wipers, lights and music player.

But the research goes on to point out that perhaps a little more manual studying might be a good idea, because a list was created of the top ten issues that car drivers have to grapple with when they get into a new car, or indeed, one that is unfamiliar to them.

The top of that list is headed by that old chestnut of trying to find the handle to release the bonnet, which can try even the most determined of drivers.

Next comes the in-car music centre, which in some modern cars can take a day’s reading of its own manual just to get working properly.

A little less irksome, but still trying, is how to alter the drivers seat position, which many drivers appear to try and adjust whilst moving; never a good idea.

Fourth is trying to find the switch to operate the side lights and headlights and fifth is locating the windscreen wipers.

So be warned, if that car in front has just been bought, then give the driver plenty of room.

Guest Article by Neil Camp

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