Parents pass on bad habits to L-plate children

Nearly 900,000 learner drivers have crashed during lessons with parents who teach their children bad habits, a survey reveals today.

More than a third of L-plate drivers have sessions with their parents, with a third blaming them for setting a bad example. One in 14 have had a collision while under instruction.

Learners say speeding, road rage and tailgating are the three failings they most commonly pick up from parents. But they also inherit poor parking skills, along with a tendency to race other cars at traffic lights.

"Parents teaching their children to drive are raising a generation of poor motorists," said Emma Holyer, of Direct Line insurance, which commissioned the research.

The study found four in 10 lessons ended in arguments as parents sought to avoid the £250 bill for 18 professional lessons.

Boys averaged only 15 lessons before taking a test compared with girls, who needed 21.