Millions of motorists increase the risk of road accidents by driving dirty cars

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More than 24 million drivers in the UK are driving round in dirty, cluttered cars increasing the risk of being involved in a road accident  - 26th November 2007

Over 24 million motorists are increasing the risk of being involved road accidents on Britain’s roads by driving in dirty, cluttered vehicles.

In research conducted by LV it was found that only 11 percent of the UK's drivers cleaned their vehicle on a weekly basis, with more than half a million motorists saying that they never clean their vehicle, which could lead to unnecessary car accidents and car accident insurance claims.

Before starting a journey 81 percent never check to see if their headlights are clean, with 63 percent not checking that their wing mirrors are clean.

Motor spokesperson Emma Holyer for LV said: "Making sure that your windscreen, lights and mirrors are clean before setting off on a journey should be second nature to motorists, but our research shows that this doesn't appear to be the case despite it being a legal requirement."

Ms Holyer also warned "Keeping loose items in the car could lead to avoidable accidents such as rubbish getting trapped under the pedals whilst you are driving.

Not to mention the fact that items such as mp3 players, clothes and sunglasses may attract all sorts of unwanted attention that could put your car at risk of theft" or vehicle damage.

Results showed that women motorists are the worst for leaving clutter around the vehicle with things like maps, CDs, make-up, books, clothes, magazines, mp3 players, shoes, children's toys, bottles, cans, food packaging and hair brushes being left loose