Cold, rainy weather and other challenging road conditions can pose heightened risks for drivers.

It amplifies the need for caution behind the wheel, and driving according to the conditions and your skills.

For some, the conditions just add to a driver’s clumsy driving damage.

Behind the wheel

A recent nationwide survey by ALA Insurance, asked participants to disclose incidents of self-inflicted damage to their vehicles within the past 12 months.

The study aimed to identify regions and demographic groups associated with higher rates of such incidents.

Drawing from responses from thousands of Brits, the findings provide an interesting insight into driving habits across the UK.

Banging about

Newcastle takes the lead with the clumsy driver mantle.

According to the survey results, it emerges as the city with the ‘clumsiest’ drivers.

Nearly half (45%) of respondents admitted to causing damage to their cars on one or more occasions in the past year.

Following closely behind are London and Bristol. They round out the top three cities where drivers are more prone to bumps, scratches, dents and other damaging driving failures.

UK’s Cities With the Clumsiest Drivers

  1. Newcastle

  2. London

  3. Bristol

Calm and careful

On the flip side, Liverpool takes the lead as the city with the least clumsy drivers.

A remarkable contrast to Newcastle, less than a third (29%) of Liverpool’s drivers claimed to have caused damage to their cars over the same period.

Cardiff and Sheffield also ranked among the cities with the least clumsy drivers.

UK’s Cities With the Least Clumsy Drivers

  1. Liverpool

  2. Cardiff

  3. Sheffield

Age old realities

When it comes to age groups, the survey found that 25-34 year olds are the clumsiest drivers,.

Almost three in five (59%) admitted to causing damage to their cars in the last year. To put this into perspective, this age group is 2.5 times more likely to have caused damage compared to those aged 65 and over.

18-24 year olds fared safer than their millennial counterparts. Less than half (49%) admitted that they had caused damage to their car in the last year.

The study also reveals that men are statistically more likely to have caused damage to their cars. Over two-fifths (42%) of male respondents admitted to incidents of car damage in the past 12 months.

Think and look ahead

Callum Butler from ALA Insurance reveals some of the most common causes for scratches and dents on the road.

“While drivers can’t always be held responsible for minor damage to our cars, ” says Callum Butler from ALA Insurance, there are some “simple ways you can avoid these unwanted incidents”.

“In busy car parks, always try to park away from other cars where you can.” This will give you space from wayward shopping trolleys and dinging door habits in tight parking spaces. “You’re automatically increasing your chances of car damage by not taking simple precautions.”

Callum adds: “We may not be able to control the weather but you can mitigate the risks that come with windy conditions. If you park your car in a drive, try to keep surrounding trees and branches maintained to avoid them falling on to your car during any storms.

“Lastly, always practise defensive driving to avoid any bumps or minor collisions. Using your mirrors effectively and anticipating oncoming traffic is a simple way to keep you and your car safe from pesky run ins like knocked wing mirrors and scuffs when driving at low speeds.”

For a more detailed breakdown of the survey results, visit ALA’s Clumsiest Driver blog.