Drive away the January blues

Letting the January blues get the better of you could make you a danger on the roads, a leading car insurer warned today.

New research from safe driving champions Privilege Insurance, found that shorter days, a lack of money and the return to work are some of the top reasons why more than ten million* drivers in Britain are suffering from the January blues.

Nearly half (48 per cent) of blues sufferers experience associated symptoms, including lethargy, over-eating and depression. These can cause overtiredness (46 per cent), irritability (44 per cent) and loss of concentration (41 per cent), all of which can negatively impact on driving ability.

And two fifths of drivers admit the January blues directly affect their driving, as symptoms are transformed into anger or irritation with other road users, slower reaction times and, for a minority, recklessness on the road. Eight per cent of motorists avoid getting behind the wheel when suffering from the blues.

The Privilege research also highlights the impact the January blues have on Britain’s roads, with one in ten sufferers admitting to having lost concentration while driving, and having exceeded the speed limit as a direct result.

While just a quarter of men, compared with 38 per cent of women, feel the blues, more men cite work as the reason they feel glum. Half of male sufferers blame the return to work for their blues, compared with 37 per cent of women. And three in ten blame work stress, compared with just 13 per cent of women.

The West Country has the highest number of sufferers, with 42 per cent admitting they feel out of sorts in January, compared with less than a quarter of those living in Yorkshire.

To help drivers beat the January blues, Privilege is offering customers access to a whole host of benefits and offers. For those that that made a new year’s resolution to do more exercise there’s two for the price of one on golf green fees, there are good deals on beauty and health treatments for those needing to feel more energised, plus great restaurant discounts for those that need the comfort of good food.

Privilege offers the following tips to ensure a happy January:
1. Do some exercise. Whether it’s taking a brisk walk or attending an aerobics class, exercise will get your heart pumping and lift your spirits.
2. Tune into comedies. You’ll find it hard to stay depressed when watching your favourite TV show or funny movie.
3. Do an early spring clean. Getting rid of old clothes and junk, so you just have things around you need should help.
4. Plan your summer holiday. Thinking to happier times beyond January will undoubtedly improve your mood.

Kate Syred, Commercial Director of Privilege Insurance, comments:
“With the only reminder of the festive season being the dent in the bank balance, and nothing but cold weather, short days and work to look forward to, for many January can feel like a really bleak month. But the good news is that we are getting happier. We carried out a similar survey two years ago and found that the number of drivers suffering from the January blues has fallen since then.

“But if you are a sufferer, don’t let the January blues get the better of you this year. Follow some of our handy tips and advice, and take advantage of some of our great benefits – you’ll probably be safer on the road too.”

Top five reasons for the January blues

1. Short daylight hours
2. Poor weather
3. Lack of money
4. Starting back at work
5. A long time until bank holiday

Notes

The research was conducted by YouGov between 7th – 11th December, 2006. YouGov interviewed a sample of 2468 individuals in GB. The survey was carried out online. Results were weighted to be representative of the known profile of the GB adult population from the 2001 census. YouGov is a member of the British polling Council.

* According to the 2001 census there are 33,236,348 drivers in the UK, of those 31 per cent get the January blues, equivalent to 10, 303,267.