No less than 23 percent of young Dutch drivers have a fear of driving. This is evident from research by Diks Verzekeringen among 1.108 Dutch people with a driving license, carried out by Panelinzicht. This fear of driving among young people is not only the result of insufficient experience behind the wheel, other factors also play an important role. For example, almost half of the respondents under the age of thirty state that they do not trust other road users.

Drivers over thirty years old find it considerably less exciting behind the wheel. For example, only one in ten of them has a fear of driving and almost a third (32 percent) is suspicious of their fellow road users. Perhaps because of this, eleven percent of all respondents would rather not get into the car with others. 

“I understand that it is extra exciting to get behind the wheel when you just got your driver's license,” says Marc Diks of Diks Verzekeringen. Incidentally, it does not seem that this extra tension is justified. Our data shows that people in their thirties are most often involved in damage, followed by drivers in their XNUMXs. Where young people are therefore allowed to relax a bit more behind the wheel, experienced drivers can be a bit sharper ”.

Accidents

An important reason for fear of driving appears to be the fear of accidents. For example, the survey shows that more than one in five respondents is afraid of damage and ten percent is afraid of taking the highway. Interestingly enough, female drivers in particular are afraid of car damage (26 percent) and the motorway (15 percent). Among the male respondents, these percentages are only 18 and 5 percent.

Diks: “Despite the legal liability insurance, a road accident always has a significant impact. Not only does it cause financial damage, it also leaves its mark emotionally and physically. By the way, I am not trying to scare anyone with this. Fear causes a tense attitude, which only increases the risk of accidents. But always be on your guard. ”

Avoid

Partly because of the fear of damage, no less than twelve percent of those surveyed avoid driving as much as possible. Especially when it concerns someone else's car (36 percent), the Dutch prefer not to get behind the wheel. Women (47 percent) significantly prefer to pass up a ride in other people's four-wheeler than men (24 percent), according to Diks Verzekeringen on their website.

Diks: “Before driving in a friend's car, check whether they are insured for a second driver. If not, then you better say thank you. The consequences of a possible accident cannot be foreseen in that situation. If it is all in order under insurance terms, I would do it most of all. Because the more different cars you drive, the easier it is to drive. ”

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