Younger and older drivers label each other the most hazardous: Oz study

Melbourne, Dec 7 (ANI): Younger and older drivers have pointed fingers at each other for being the most hazardous motorists on the roads, an Australian survey has found.

National motor and home insurer AAMI conducted the survey of more than 2500 Australians.

AAMI spokesman Mike Sopinski said both age groups were convinced they were not a major hazard on the road.

"With young drivers - by their own admission - more prone to speeding than others, they are likely to view slower vehicles, often driven by older drivers, as potential road hazards," the Courier Mail quoted Sopinski as saying.

"Correspondingly, older drivers identify the aggressive driving style of some of the younger road users, particularly P-platers, as a major risk," he added.

The survey found that seven out of 10 drivers aged under 25 identified over-55 drivers as hazardous.

On the other hand, 56 per cent of the mature-aged group thought the same of younger road users.

Survey results showed youngsters considered themselves "better than average" drivers while over-55s considered themselves the safest.

And when it comes to accident insurance claims, the latter may be true.

Sopinski said mature aged drivers made much fewer accident claims than their less experienced counterparts and an RACQ spokesman Jim Kershaw said older drivers were "more careful and sensible". (ANI)