Drivers reveal 'dashboard dread'

06 February 2012

"Dashboard Dread" - when motorists become anxious owing to unfamiliar warning signs, possibly raising the risk of breaking down or crashing - is becoming more common, according to a new survey.

Halfords found that one in three people admit to "panicking" if a red light flashes up, while only one in four (24%) could correctly say what the function and location of each switch and control was. Perhaps more disturbingly still, almost one in 10 drivers (9.8%) had no idea where to find the fog lights.

As cars and the gadgets inside become more hi-tech and complex, the average family saloon car can have as many as 50 different functions.

Halfords found that drivers are also baffled by vehicle warning signs. As many as 26% do not recognise a symbol which shows that tyres are losing pressure, while one in five (20%) do not know what the red brake system alert light stands for - both of which could spark a call to your breakdown cover provider.

Meanwhile, 66% of drivers admit to never having looked at the handbook to check what the warning signs are. Even the most basic model these days has as many as 30 different symbols and signals listed.

Copyright Press Association 2012