THE WALK TO WORK IS NO LONGER A PEDESTRIAN ISSUE DIRECT LINE OPENS LONDON'S FIRST-EVER FAST LANE FOR COMMUTERS, DUBBED THE ‘DIRECT LANE’
• Three quarters of the nation (77 per cent) experience ‘pavement rage’ regularly due
to slow pedestrians
• Slow walkers are the nation’s biggest source of anger on the streets – with 58 per
cent naming them as the main source of irritation
• Almost a third of the nation (29 per cent) has suffered an injury as a result of a slow
walker, with the North East (38 per cent) and London (35 per cent) topping injury
hotspots
• As a result, Direct Line is piloting the first-ever pedestrian fast lane in London today, a ‘Direct Lane’ allowing commuters to bypass dawdlers, getting to their destination hassle-free
BRITAIN’S streets are full of furious pedestrians with three quarters (77 per cent) of the nation confessing to regularly experiencing 'pavement rage' due to slow walkers on the high street, a study has found.
One in four (24 per cent) even go as far to say that walking on a busy pavement is the worst part of their day. This frustration is having a drastic impact on commuters’ health as over half (51 per cent) of London’s population – stated that the problem has made their blood pressure rise.
The study by Direct Line found that almost a third of Brits (29 per cent) have succumbed to an injury as a result of a slow walker, with the North East (38 per cent) and London (35 percent) topping injury hotspots.
A staggering one in eight (13 per cent) has even suffered the painful indignity of walking into a lamppost because of this unspoken hazard. In order to create a hassle-free and injury-free commute, Direct Line is piloting the first-ever pedestrian fast lane in London today, allowing commuters to bypass dawdlers, and haphazard obstacles.
The 50-metre walkway will be open for two days by Waterloo station – the country’s busiest commuter station. Housed at Sutton Walk, the Direct Lane will have a suggested walking speed of 5 miles per hour, double the speed the nation is currently walking at (2.5 mph).
With 71 per cent of the nation feeling that there should be separate fast lanes on the UK’s pavements, fast lanes for pedestrians could be the latest phenomenon to hit the high street.
The Direct Lane may be London’s first-ever commuter fast lane, but it has been trialed in other major cities worldwide with a New Yorker creating ‘tourist lanes’ and China’s bustling city Chongqing installing a slow texting lane.
The study into the UK’s pavement etiquette, conducted by the insurance brand known for fixing everyday problems, showed that the top reasons cited for pavement irritations with slow walkers, people who stop or turn abruptly, slow crowds, chuggers and people texting topping the list.
Wendy Pearson, Direct Line spokesperson said: “Perhaps we can learn from the rules of the motorway; if having different lanes for different speeds is a good idea there, why not apply it to city pavements?
“We hope that the new Direct Lane will make the pedestrian commute better for those taking this busy London route on foot, and inspire similar schemes elsewhere.”
The Direct Lane will be open to the public to use at Sutton Walk, Waterloo, London from 6.30am - 9.30am and 4.00pm – 7.00pm on Thursday 22 Friday and 23 September. Direct Line’s street team of expert fixers will also be on the ground helping busy commuters to navigate the Direct Lane and handing out items to help them get to their destination more efficiently.
For more information on Direct Line visit www.directline.com.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information and images:
Priya Sund [email protected] 020 7440 9975
Andrew Soar [email protected] 020 7440 9817
Direct Line
Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of
communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.
Top Pavement Irritations
- Slow walkers 58 per cent
- People who stop abruptly / turn suddenly 58 per cent
- Slow crowds 46 per cent
- Chuggers (charity workers) 42 per cent
- People texting 38 per cent
- Groups of youths 33 per cent
- Street sales people 32 per cent
- People smoking 30 per cent
- People with prams / buggies 24 per cent
- Kids 22 per cent
Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville
Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. UK Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential
Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.
Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 300 7838 or visiting
About The Research:
OnePoll conducted the survey of 2,000 UK adults between 13th July and 15th July 2016.
Lucy Davies
Brand PR Manager
Direct Line Group
Tel: 01651 834446
Mob: 07759 635919
Email: [email protected]