Insurer’s ‘nervous drivers’ warning

Almost one in four drivers in the North East admit to being nervous about making long journeys as lockdown eases, according to new research from a leading insurer.

NFU Mutual says that, as families across the region plan to hit the roads over the Bank Holiday weekend, 23% of drivers are lacking confidence at the wheel.

Nearly eight per cent of drivers say they would be unlikely to pass their test if they took it today.

The survey says that, after months of staying local, 39% of North East drivers plan to travel to a holiday destination this year.

But 55% admit they would like to do a driving refresher course.

The firm says insurance claims jumped by 21% in the week following April 12 when lockdown restrictions began to ease.

This follows similar increases in road traffic accidents reported to the insurer following the end of every lockdown.

Jade Devlin, at NFU Mutual, said: “Driver confidence can take a knock for a whole host of reasons but we’ve seen sharp surges in reported car accidents with roads getting busier and drivers taking their first long distance drives for a while.

"Sadly, we are expecting the same over the May bank holiday weekends, so would urge drivers to take care on the roads.”

NFU Mutual is offering 1,000 free two-hour Drive Doctor ‘driving confidence’ sessions to its car and van insurance customers.

Existing and new NFU Mutual customers can get the chance to win a free sessions by going to www.nfumutual.co.uk/prizedraw