MORE than three-quarters of learner drivers are put off taking to the roads for fear of encountering too many bad drivers. That's the finding of a survey by Duckhams Oil, sponsor of the BSM Signal programme, which provides pre-driver training schemes for 15 to 19-year-old students.

The survey quizzed BSM learners about their knowledge of cars and driving, and their opinions on motoring issues and driving lessons. As well as their fear of bad drivers, the survey also revealed that 57 per cent are put off by people driving too fast, while 46 per cent say road rage is a significant concern.

Young women are particularly sensitive about the problems they might face, with 66 per cent of females concerned that people drive too fast compared with 52 per cent of males; 61 per cent intimidated by the threat of road rage compared with 39 per cent of men; and 55 per cent are scared by the prospect of breaking down compared with 24 per cent of males questioned.

Seventy-two per cent think the maximum speed limit is too fast or just right, while 87 per cent believe that the current drink drive laws are just right or even too lenient. When asked the most important feature when buying a car, overall men and women go for stylish looks (29 per cent) and good fuel efficiency (25 per cent) above anything else, while 18 per cent of women prefer airbags compared with nine per cent of men, while 26 per cent of men want a powerful engine compared with only six per cent of women.