Most motorist are suffering from `accident anxiety', with drivers aged 35-44 the most worried, according to a survey.

As many as 79% of those taking to the road are anxious about driving, the poll by Allianz Insurance found.

This concern is so great that 17% of drivers have decided not to make a particular journey due to their worries.

Based on responses from 1,000 people who drive regularly, the survey showed 83% of drivers aged 35-44 get anxious on the road.

Overall, the biggest worry to drivers is tailgating, followed by road rage and uninsured drivers.

Of those who have accidents, 81% said it was not their fault with 22% saying they felt more worried, more stressed and less confident after a collision, with women being notably more worried than men after a crash.

Yet just 7% reckoned more driver training would be the answer.

Allianz Insurance chief executive Jon Dye said: "It's worrying to see that so many motorists feel they will have an accident, and yet so few feel more driver training would help. Drivers can only drive at their best if they feel calm and alert and not unduly worried about what other motorists are getting up to.

"Tailgating, 'road rage' and uninsured drivers can all cause accidents and contribute to the claims costs faced by insurers at a time when the industry is looking to bring down premiums in a sensible way for customers."