US drivers fear other drivers most

According to the latest study by independent research company Penn Schoen Berland, young drivers in the USA are more fearful of dangerous drivers than physically dying. The new study, commissioned by Ford, reveals that millennial, generation Y and generation Z drivers are hugely concerned about their safety on the road.

Furthermore, the top driving fears include manoeuvring into tight parking spaces, monitoring blind spots while driving and backing out onto busy streets.

The study surveyed 1000 drivers in the US aged between 16 and 34 in late April and early May 2015, with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 per cent, and revealed that even as several wars are being waged around the world, climate change is having an impact on weather patterns, young people are increasingly alarmed by their fellow drivers and the act of driving itself.

Penn Schoen Berland's vice president, Kevin Shkolnik, observed that "Younger generations are growing up with different fears than parents and grandparents."

The biggest concern for young motorists are distracted and dangerous drivers, says Shkolnik, with advanced car infotainment systems and smartphones are continuing to take attention away from the task of driving.

"Younger drivers are worried about distracted drivers, but they think technology isn't just the problem, it's also the solution," he said.

As such, Ford believes it is well-placed to capitalise on the hysteria occurring on the roads in the USA.

"Research like this is important to Ford and other automotive brands because it informs us about the situations that cause consumers the most stress," posited Crystal Worthem, Ford brand marketing manager in the US.

"As driver distraction and and safety conversations have broadened, we are seeing what technology will help customers tackle their greats fears," she added.

The research alleges that around two thirds or 65 per cent of respondents would be more likely to buy a vehicle that could parallel park itself, while 62 per cent cited blind spot detection tech as a major purchase influencer.

Car-makers across the globe are continuing to devise new ways to make cars safer and provide drivers with more information of their surroundings, with Ford today announcing a new camera technology that will offered on the Ford Edge and Explorer SUVs in the USA.

It's said to reduce stress in drivers by providing a 'split-view' that delivers 180-degree vision in front of and behind the vehicle, designed to make slow-speed reversing, parking and entering T-intersections safer.

Ford also pioneered systems such as the inflatable seat belt and like most of its competitors is working to make motorised personal transport safer than ever by removing the need for a driver altogether.

"During the next five years, we will move to migrate driver-assist technologies across our product line-up to help make our roads safer and continue to increase automated driving capability," said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, global product development.