Motorists carrying passengers are half as likely to be involved in an accident than those driving solo, the research reveals. One in ten drivers say they have been involved in an accident when driving alone, compared to just one in twenty who were driving with a passenger.

And it is not just accidents that are reduced by driving with a passenger, it seems. Four in ten motorists (39 per cent) have lost concentration while driving, but only two in ten (22 per cent) have done so when driving with a passenger. One in five drivers have been pulled over by the police when driving alone due to the poor quality of their driving, compared to just nine per cent who have been pulled over when driving with someone else in the car.

And as drivers realise the safety benefits of sharing car journeys, they are flocking to the 'car pool' concept favoured by their US cousins, 15m of whom car pool every day .

More than one in twenty British motorists (six per cent) currently have a car pool arrangement in place for their drive to work, according to Privilege's findings. By the end of the 2006, over four million drivers expect to be sharing car journeys on a regular basis (12 per cent) , and by 2010 this will increase to nearer six million (17 per cent).

However, one in five drivers (21 per cent) believe they would be more likely to car pool if special lanes were introduced. Just under half (48 per cent) of all drivers surveyed by Privilege support the introduction of car pool lanes on key commuter routes. And among those who support such plans, three quarters (76 per cent) would like to see car pool lanes combined with existing or new bus lanes.

Philip Igoe, Director of Car Plus, a national car sharing charity, commented on Privilege's research:
"Car pooling is easy on the pocket and kind on the environment. In addition, Privilege's new research suggests that sharing a journey may also reduce the risk of accidents.

"We welcome the findings that almost half of the driving public support the introduction of car pool lanes on commuter routes. The evidence from 'high occupancy vehicle' lanes in Leeds, which gives priority to the majority of commuters who share journeys in cars or buses, is that journey times have reduced both for commuters in the HOV lane and also for those driving solo.

"Given the many benefits of car sharing, drivers should perhaps be asking themselves; 'do we really need to drive alone?'"

Ian Parker, Managing Director of Privilege Insurance, said:
"Privilege's research demonstrates the potential road safety benefits of car sharing. Each year thousands of people are killed on our roads and tens of thousands more are seriously injured. If car pooling or sharing journeys encourages safer driving, then that should be sufficient justification to prompt drivers into rethinking their car use habits."

"Privilege would urge all drivers to consider the practicalities of car sharing and log onto our website at www.privilege.com for links to information about car pool schemes across the country."