Motorists still being needlessly reckless, study finds

If only reckless otters were the biggest worry facing British motorists over the Christmas period.

Instead, while drivers on the Shetland Islands have been warned about an alarming rise in otter road deaths - with around ten per cent of the islands' entire population estimated to have been decimated this year alone - those on the mainland have been advised that the risk of having festive gifts pinched from a parked vehicle is as high as ever.

Despite the thousands of CCTV cameras that have been rolled out across the UK over the past few years, it seems that thieves are as ready as ever to pounce on easy pickings and, according to new research, motorists are only too willing to oblige them.

Of those drivers polled by Admiral in the run up to Christmas, 73 per cent admitted to leaving personal items on display in their unattended new cars, compared to 71 per cent in 2008.

And, as well as coats and jackets, a significant proportion of Britons are tempting thieves by leaving valuables such as handbags and MP3 players on open view, in spite of the best advice of both insurers and the police.

Commenting on the findings, Admiral managing director Sue Longthorn said: "It's a worrying trend that more motorists are happy to leave expensive items on show in their cars. It only takes seconds for an opportunistic car thief to break a car window and grab what's inside.

"At this time of year, people will often leave their Christmas shopping on show on the back seat of their car. For a criminal this is an open invitation. Think how heartbroken you would be if you had your presents stolen."

Meanwhile, a large number of drivers appear to be defying common sense and getting behind the wheel without belting up.

Even though the early nights and slippery roads mean that the winter months represent the most dangerous time to be out on the road, Lancashire Police have reported that they have arrested and charged dozens of drivers for not belting up properly.

Speaking after a series of recent spot checks, Sergeant Nigel Ralphson told the Lancashire Evening Post: "[There were] an incredibly disappointing number of motorists who had ignored both the safety benefits and the legal requirement to wear a seat belt."


And, while the drivers caught are unlikely to be hit too hard by the £60 fine they received, as road safety campaigners consistently point out, not wearing a seatbelt can lead drivers to pay the ultimate cost on the road, whatever the time of year.