BRITISH drivers are suffering from a major braking crisis, with a new report revealing that over five million motorists have damage or significant wear to the brakes on their cars.

The new research shows that 15 per cent admit to having some sign of brake damage.  Worryingly, a third of motorists with defective brakes, some 1.7 million drivers, have known about the problem for at least a month, without getting it repaired.  Men are most likely to have neglected any issues – 24 per cent of male motorists with a brake problem admitted to knowing about it for at least three months – compared to just 7 per cent of women.

This neglect is all the more worrying when combined with drivers’ experiences. The study by Kwik Fit study also found that nearly one in five motorists have been in a car accident caused by braking errors. 

But their responses might give a clue to their attitudes towards brakes - nearly three times as many people thought another driver’s braking was to blame for the accident, rather than their own (13 per cent versus 5 per cent).

The symptoms of brake problems which 5.1 million drivers are experiencing include grinding noises when the brakes are applied, the car pulling to one side under braking, and the brake pedal feeling spongy.  More than half a million drivers admit to having a brake warning light on the dashboard which they are ignoring.

“This research reveals that many of us have been in an accident where braking has been a cause, and yet far too many motorists admit they are driving around with defective brakes,” explained Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit. “A grinding noise could be a result of pads which are worn and need replacing, pulling to one side could be a component sticking, and a spongy pedal could be due to air in the hydraulic system.

When asked why they haven’t done anything about their braking issues, nearly one in ten admitted to simply not knowing what to do about it, a quarter were worried about the expense of getting it fixed, and one in six said they didn’t think anything was wrong. 12 per cent confessed they were going to make the issue someone else’s problem – they said they were going to sell their car soon and didn’t want to spend any more money on it.  

In light of the Government’s new focus on improving the safety of young drivers, it is notable that more than one third (36 per cent) of 18 to 24-year-old drivers have symptoms of brake problems on their car. This compares with just 3 per cent for drivers over 65.

London drivers are most likely to be experiencing brake problems, with a quarter of them (24 per cent) reporting symptoms.  Motorists in Yorkshire can be the most relaxed about their fellow road users ability to stop – only 8 per cent of drivers in Yorkshire and Humber say they have any brake problems.

Mr Griggs added: “It is vital that drivers are able to stop their car as quickly as possible in an emergency, and anyone suffering these symptoms may have their safety compromised as a result. We would urge anyone experiencing these warning signs to get their brake system checked as soon as possible.”