Enjoy the benefits of considerate driving

Not many people think they’re a bad driver. But most of us could be a bit more considerate when we’re behind the wheel.

Taking a more mindful approach not only offers benefits for ourselves, but also for other road users.

Benefits for drivers with disabilities

At the end of March 2023, there were 2.57 million Blue Badges holders in the UK.

Some drivers, though ineligible, might find themselves tempted to use a disabled parking space if they can’t find another spot or want to dash into a shop.

This might only be for a couple of minutes, but it can still prevent a driver with disabilities from being able to park and make their journey much more difficult. So be mindful and only use a disabled parking space if you’re eligible.

Positives for pavement users

Sticking with parking, some drivers occasionally stop on the pavement to give traffic more room to get past.

This has been against the law in Greater London since 1974, although there are certain exceptions. In 2019, Scotland enacted a prohibition on pavement parking and from 11 December 2023, local authorities began enforcing the law.

This means drivers could be fined £100 for these parking behaviours, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. Elsewhere in the UK, laws against pavement parking are patchy, although the Department for Transport is looking to make changes.

While it’s not yet banned throughout the UK, you might decide to get ahead of the curve and make the change for yourself. The problem is that a car on the pavement often blocks the way for someone in a wheelchair, someone pushing a buggy or someone with a walking frame.

If there isn’t enough room to get past, they’ll have to go around your car on the roadside or cross over. Both are more difficult and dangerous for them, so make sure they don’t have to do this by keeping your car off the pavement.

The upside for you

Keeping calm will stop you making rash decisions. For example, allowing plenty of time and space for someone to back out of a parking spot is a much better option than whizzing around them and will greatly reduce the chance of an accident.

It will also help you keep motoring costs to a minimum. Insurers offer their best rates to the safest drivers and one of the things they look at is your accident history.

If you haven’t been at fault for any car insurance claims, you can also build up a no-claims discount. Each insurer calculates this differently, but it’s a great way to keep your costs down.

Consideration doesn’t cost anything, but it could save you money and make life better for other road users.

To see what cover Co-op Insurance can offer, visit our car insurance page.