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Dangerous road safety attitudes are causing havoc on the UK's busy roads as pedestrians flout the green cross code causing motorists to swerve and stop suddenly. 

New research from Direct Line reveals that pedestrians have an appalling attitude to road safety - with more than three-quarters (78 per cent) ignoring designated road crossings in favour of weaving through queuing traffic or darting across the road when a space appears between cars.

And worryingly, more than one in 10 (11 per cent) also put their lives at risk by stepping in front of moving cars anticipating that drivers will have to stop.

The research also revealed that Britain's 'drinking culture' is causing problems, and with licensing laws shortly to be relaxed, motorists need to be extra vigilant and on the look out for drunken pedestrians. 

Whilst under the influence of alcohol a quarter of UK adults cross roads without first checking for oncoming cars.  Men are the worse offenders with a third (33 per cent) agreeing that bravado takes over when using the road after drinking.

According to the research this cavalier approach to road safety has seen pedestrians cause close to two million (1,994,180,) accidents at a cost of more than £335 million* to the UK's 33.2 million motorists.  More than 80 per cent of motorists have been forced to stop suddenly to avoid a collision with a person on foot.

Road deaths in the UK on are increasing with over 3,508 deaths in 2003, a six per cent rise on 2002.  Of these deaths 778 were pedestrians and 171 were children.

Direct Line's Motor spokeswoman, Emma Holyer, said:

"Such negligent road use is very worrying.  Pedestrians need to be more responsible as this kind of behaviour causes accidents. Modern-day gadgets such as mobile phones and portable music players are adding fuel to the problem as many pedestrians are distracted by such devices and are not noticing oncoming vehicles."

The problem has caused angry attitudes amongst drivers with two thirds (64 per cent) in favour of formal penalties for dangerous pedestrians.

However it appears pedestrians feel the same way about motorists as more than three quarters (77 per cent) have been upset by domineering drivers.

According to pedestrians, the worst things that drivers do include:

• Speeding up to get through lights  (79 per cent);

• Ignoring pedestrians waiting at crossings (68 per cent);

• Revving engines while idling at crossings (49 per cent).

Male pedestrians are most likely to react to overbearing drivers, with half of all males admitting to 'mouthing off' at motorists who annoy them (compared to a third 34 per cent of women).

Emma Holyer added: "There is fault on both sides - our research reveals close to half (43 per cent) of pedestrians don't use designated crossings if it means deviating from their direct route.  Similarly, half (47 per cent) of people on foot say drivers just ignore pedestrian crossing lights anyway. 

"All road users need to exercise more caution and make safety a priority."

Source: Direct Line Insurance