Continental Tyres has released a new national report revealing that overconfident Australian men pose a major risk on the road this Christmas.
The survey, commissioned by Continental Tyres, asked Aussie men to rank their driving ability, the results showing that the majority (77%) of men believed they were above-average drivers. This is compared to just 22% claiming to be average, and only 1% recognising that they were bad drivers.
With men more likely to engage in reckless driving, such as speeding or driving under the influence, Continental Tyres is urging drivers to drop the bravado, check their tyres, and drive safely this festive season.
When looking at responses across the generations, Gen X men stood out as the most overconfident, with 81% rating themselves as above average or amazing drivers. This was followed by Gen Y at 78%, Baby Boomers at 75%, and Gen Z at 73%.
Further showcasing a level of overconfidence when it comes to driving abilities, 44% of men suggested that they could drive a semi-trailer truck if they had to, whilst only 36% disagreed and 20% neither agreed nor disagreed.
“Confidence behind the wheel is important, but overconfidence can be dangerous,” said Mitchell Golledge, Managing Director of Continental Tyres Australia.
“Our research shows that many Aussie men rate themselves as ‘above average’ drivers, yet we continue to see road safety statistics negatively rise.
“As a tyre company, we want to remind all drivers to assess their true skills, check their tyres and stay mindful of road safety to protect themselves and others, especially ahead of the Christmas period.”
However, the overconfidence doesn’t stop on the road, with the study also uncovering how men perceive their capabilities in other areas.
When respondents were asked which animals they think they could fight off and live to tell the tale, 27% answered horse, 21% a security dog, 9% a bull, 5% a crocodile, 4% a gorilla, 4% a grizzly bear, 3% a lion, 3% a tiger, and only just over half (56%) admitting they couldn’t take on any of them.
Additionally, 18% of men believe they could survive a week stranded in the Australian bush or on top of a snowy mountain, compared to 3% of men who think they could last a year, 6% one month, 20% four to five days, 36% two to three days and 9% one day – with only 8% saying they would need rescuing straight away.
Furthermore, the study found that 13% of men think that they could compete against an elite athlete in their sport. Three-quarters (75%) disagreed, with the final 12% sitting on the fence.
While some of these beliefs may be humorous, the study also highlights a more serious issue – road safety. Despite 79% correctly disagreeing, alarmingly, 11% of Aussie men agree that they could drive safely on bald tyres. This indicates a lack of awareness regarding vital tyre maintenance and its impact on road safety.
Further addressing the impact of overconfidence, Continental Tyres has teamed up with men’s psychology expert Craig Hyde-Smith from Blokes Psychology, who attributes this overconfidence to a variety of potential factors.
“Men can score higher in the illusion of control bias, which is when we overestimate our ability to control outcomes that are largely determined by external factors or chance,” Mr Hyde-Smith said.
“Research has also shown that testosterone can be linked to increased risk-taking behaviour. Finally, social norms and expectations can increase pressure on men to appear confident and competent, and this can translate into overconfidence.”
To help curb this overconfidence and encourage safer driving habits amongst Australians, Continental Tyres has created a series of light-hearted educational videos that demonstrate the potential risks of overconfidence. The videos will be rolled out across December.
