2016-04-22

Have the UK's white van men received a bad reputation on the road for unwarranted reasons? Maybe. A recent study has revealed some of the country's safest drivers belong to the most common trade professions.

Research Study Reveals the Worst and Safest UK Drivers by Profession

According to new research, accountants are officially the UK's worst drivers and roofers the safest. The study by car insurance firm First Central, analysed the driving performance of more than a million motorists and the use of their privately owned vehicles. It then ranked the most accident prone professionals according to their career type.

The study found that accountants are the worst drivers, racking up more than 16,000 annual insurance claims. Solicitors came in close second with 15,000 claims and doctors in third, after climbing six places from 9th position last year.

Roofers, farmers and builders, plus many other professions that require mobile working and commercial vehicle use, were found to have the safest drivers. In fact, a roofer is four times less likely to be involved in an accident while driving than an accountant.

And this isn't simply because there are more accountants than roofers. Roofers had the lowest annual claim frequency of all professions studied at just 9%. This equates to around 3,850 accidents in the last year.

Van Drivers Buck the Stereotype

Co-Founder and Chief Underwriting Officer at First Central, has commented on the study. He said:

"People often have preconceived ideas about how certain professions behave on the roads.

"Our data dispels a number of these myths, but it's interesting to see that a number of professions we trust with our safety are actually the worst on the road."

Freight Transport Association (FTA) Chief, Mark Cartwright, spoke with vehicle news site Behind the Wheel about the study's findings. He said:

"Lorry and van drivers are often criticised for their driving but this analysis shows they're actually amongst the best drivers on the road. It takes a great deal of skill and expertise to manoeuvre a 44-tonne truck."

The Top 10 Worst Drivers by Profession

1. Accountant

2. Solicitor

3. Doctor

4. Financial Advisor

5. Letting Agent

6. Airline Cabin Crew

7. Bank Manager

8. IT Manager

9. Pharmacist

10. Train Driver

The Top 10 Safest Drivers by Profession

1. Roofer

2. Farm Worker

3. Builder

4. Lorry Driver

5. Cleaner

6. Carpet Fitter

7. Factory Worker

8. Mechanic

9. Butcher

10. Painter and Decorator

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