Motor Insurers Bureau predict rise in migrant driver crashes

The Motor Insurers Bureau is predicting a 16% rise in crashes involving migrant drivers over 2006 figures.

Crashes involving Polish motorists are expected to rise by 22% by the end of the year to 3828, ten times the 2001 figure of 361.

Crashes involving Slovakian drivers are expected to rise 23%, from 22 in 2001 to 569.

The MIB predicts 752 Hungarians will be involved in UK road accidents, up from 192 in 2001, while 201 crashes are expected to involve a Slovenian driver, up from 68 in 2001.

Chief Inspector Rick Dowell, head of Dorset Traffic unit said: “The attitude of eastern European drivers to road safety is not as educated as in Britain. It’s just a question of cultural change and attitude.”