It takes new motorists just 10 WEEKS to turn into a ‘bad driver’ and develop these dangerous habits
New drivers take less than three months to let their standards slip - and it could be making them more dangerous on the road
IT TAKES new motorists just 10 weeks to become a "bad driver" after passing their test, according to research.
A study of 2,000 car owners found the average new road user lets some dangerous habits creep in less than three months after ripping the L-plates off.
Conducted by Accident Advice Helpline, the study found one in 10 drivers even admitted they started to forget what they learned two weeks or less after passing their test.
The majority of drivers would quickly forget to hold the steering wheel in the correct "10 and 2" position along with failing to check their mirrors every time they make a manoeuvre.
The study also found it takes just four and a half months to become a “middle-lane hogger” on the motorway.
And drivers will further put their safety at risk by riding without a seatbelt from time to time after less than four months of having their full license.
It takes just over five months for drivers to feel comfortable fumbling in their bag for something while driving, while the average motorists will have run a red light within five months of passing their test.
And after just over four months, motorist are more likely to overtake in a dangerous situation, turn a corner without indicating and park on double yellow lines.
A whopping 53 per cent of Brits agree that they have more bad driving habits now than the day they passed their test.
In fact, a tenth of the driving population have had an accident due to getting slack with following the rules of the road.
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David Carter, from Accident Advice Helpline, said: “Passing your driving test is, for many people, one of the hardest things they’ll ever have to do.
“And for many of us, that testing day could have come years or even decades ago – plenty of time for bad habits to creep in.
“Our study found lots of drivers are happy to admit to bad practices when behind the wheel, most of which are harmless.
“But it’s important to stay vigilant with observation and safety, as letting your guard down for too long could result in an accident.”