Male motorists must be brighter when it comes to breakdowns

26/10/2009

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Male motorists are almost three times more likely to be killed or injured on the hard shoulder than women, according to new research from car care specialists, Comma.

Department for Transport statistics show that over the last 15 years, 2,058 men have been killed or injured on the hard shoulder, compared to 768 women* when their cars have broken down by the roadside. Across Europe, high-visibility clothing is compulsory for motorists in an effort to reduce such incidences.

Studies have shown that wearing high-visibility vests can increase the distance at which other road users can spot stranded drivers by up to 400 percent.**

 "Once you're outside of your car in the dark, you're effectively invisible," said Comma's Mike Bewsey. "The male tendency is to get under the bonnet and try to fix the problem but, if you can't be seen, you're asking for trouble." With the clocks going back on October 25, extending the hours of darkness, the issue of visibility gains increasing importance. Accidents at night are twice as likely to lead to a fatality as during the daytime***, which is why Comma has revived its 'Safe and Seen' promotional campaign.

UK law continues to lag behind that of many of its continental cousins - legislation in Belgium, Croatia, France, Italy and Spain states that all motorists must have a high-visibility vest in the car at all times in case of breakdown. Three further countries insist that professional drivers carry them.

In the event of a breakdown, drivers are advised to vacate the car and move to a safe distance from the roadside.

Comma is giving away 150,000 high-vis vests free with 5-litre packs of its Performance Motor Oil between October and December. Over the past two years, Comma has given away more than 400,000 high-vis vests as part of its 'Safe and Seen' campaign.

For further information and to find your nearest stockist, visit www.commaoil.com.

ENDS

* - Department for Transport statistics from 1994-2008. Although men do travel more than women, they only travel 20 percent more than women according to DfT statistics, which is significantly lower than the proportion that are killed or injured on the hard shoulder- http://www.dft.gov.uk/adobepdf/162469/221412/221531/223955/32274311/NTS2008.pdf

** - Auto Express, October 2007.

*** - Department for Transport statistics 2008 -