One third of all accidents happen within a mile of the home

A report released today revealed that a third (32 per cent) of all car accidents happen within a mile of the driver’s home and a further third within five miles.

The Churchill Car Insurance* poll revealed that drivers experienced a ‘switching off’ syndrome on familiar roads which is a common cause of car accidents. 

Journeys within a five mile radius of the home are typically made up of short trips to work, the weekly supermarket shop and taking the kids to school.  The report shows that during these trips, drivers’ minds are wandering, thinking about work, family or home chores. 

Almost three quarters of respondents (72 per cent) admitted to paying less attention on local roads and 60 per cent said that their driving became lazy when they neared their home.  Despite recognising that their driving was becoming more relaxed and erratic, a quarter of drivers believed they were unlikely to have an accident close to their neighbourhood.

Darren McCauley, Head of Car Insurance at Churchill said, “Drivers tend to make many preparations for longer journeys but on routine trips they can be far too flippant.  For longer journeys drivers tend to take an early night and make sure the car is safe.  However, they can work a 50 hour week and then tackle an hour’s drive home on a Friday evening without a second thought.”

Churchill has listed the most common accidents that occur close to home.

• Reversing into parked cars
• Collisions with neighbours when parking outside the home
• Finding unexplained dents and scratches caused by other drivers
• Clipping wing mirrors when driving up narrow residential streets
• Scraping the side of the car when parking in the garage

“The types of accidents we see near the home tend to happen at low speeds as people reverse out of the driveway or park outside their home. These happen at the beginning and end of journeys when the driver is not yet switched on, or clearly not switched off from their day.” McCauley said.

Other findings from the report:

• Londoners are the most likely to crash within a mile of their home, followed by drivers in Scotland, East Anglia and the West Midlands.
• Drivers aged 36-40 are the most likely to crash within a mile of home 
• More men than women have accidents close to home

*Research commissioned by Churchill Insurance amongst 1768 drivers in May 2005.

For more information please contact:
Frances Browning
Churchill Insurance
020 8313 5965
pressoffice@churchill.com

Churchill Insurance Company Limited. Calls may be recorded. Conditions apply.