Tuesday 29th May 2007
Up to eight million British drivers could be suffering from a post-car accident condition known as 'crashback'.
New research says two in five motorists endure the "serious" affliction, which can lead to a "loss of confidence, nightmares about their accident and panic attacks even when they're not driving".
Insurance provider More Than, which produced today's survey, claims that 170,000 people take six months to drive again after an accident, while 85,000 people have not driven since being involved in a crash half a year ago.
The insurer says that it can take up to five years to recover from the condition, which can also lead to "erratic driving" when an individual gets behind the wheel again.
"Crashback is a very common condition among drivers who have been involved in an accident. Any car crash, no matter how small, can be traumatic, and there's nothing unusual in feeling upset or anxious after a crash," said Marcia Chambers, from More Than.
Citing statistics that show 200,000 people are injured on British roads every year, More Than head of motor insurance Keith Maxwell, added: "Although not often talked about, this sort of anxiety and stress can be serious and people need to take time and concentrate on feeling better.
"Drivers should not feel under pressure to get behind the wheel again before they're ready. It can add stress, meaning it takes longer to get back to normal, and could lead to unsafe driving behaviour."
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Insurance
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