MOTOR accidents are more likely to occur as a result of the recession, experts claim.

Whilst an estimated 50 per cent of all drivers are more cautious these days behind the wheel, since they are aware they cannot afford to pay a motoring offence fine, depression as a result of job loss and insecurity are causing others to be more careless or aggressive.

Additionally, car-owners are less likely to pay for service, maintenance and repairs that their vehicles need, since they do not have the money to do so.

These are some of the issues raised yesterday during the International Road Traffic Behaviour Risk Prevention Congress that took place in Valencia.

Also commented on was the fact that women drivers are more careful than men, with only one in five regularly breaking speed limits.

Men are five times more likely to be killed in accidents on the road caused by their own driving than women.

The most at-risk age-bracket is 25 to 44.

Road rage, insults and swearing at other drivers is more prominently seen in motorists of both sexes in their 30s.

Whilst men are less nervous when driving and their motoring skills are said to be superior, women drivers compensate for this by greater caution and respect for both traffic norms and other road-users.

The conference also produced evidence that using a mobile phone whilst behind the wheel causes more fatalities on the road than drink-driving.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), deaths on the roads are expected to almost double in the next 20 years.

From the current figure of 1.3 million per year around the world, this will go up to around 2.5 million by the year 2030.