Isobel Pankhurst
A tricky quiz has begun to drive motorists mad as they struggle to remember what the symbols on their car's dashboard actually mean.
As part of the quiz drivers must answer eight questions on what the different symbols commonly displayed on vehicle dashboards represent.
Among the symbols displayed include an oil warning sign, the bonnet not being closed, and a warning to check your coolant levels.
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A study of 2,000 motorists revealed just a third felt confident they could recognise the brake warning light, while only 51% could identify the tire pressure warning.
While the majority were able to identify the battery warning light, low washer fluid warning, and oil level warnings, this still left a fair amount of people worryingly unable to do so.
This study also showed that younger people were less likely to be able to identify the different signs - 18 to 24-year-olds knew an average of just 32% of the symbols while over 65s could identify 52%.
The results of this study have caused concerns over road safety to increase, with the average driver estimating they could only identify 45% of the lights and symbols on their dashboard.
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However, 77% have been in a position where a warning light has come on while they were behind the wheel.
Of those who have had a warning light appear just 14% felt able to address it themselves.
48% would call on a nearby garage, while 40% would speak to a family member, and 12% would speak to a passer-by or stranger.
This has led to a high number of drivers taking their cars for early MOTs, when ultimately the problem could be potentially dealt with much more easily had they known what the symbols meant.
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Scarily, 37% admitted to ignoring a warning light, with more than one in 20 of those pretending it wasn’t there for over a year.
Limvirak Chea, co-founder and CEO at Fixter, the company that commissioned this research, said: “These figures are troubling and show there’s a lot to be done to make Britain’s roads safe.
“It’s important that people are aware of the possible hazards which the warning lights tell drivers about their vehicle.
“By getting your car regularly checked and making sure you get your MOT done, this can offset any future problems you may have further down the line.”