Direct Line press release
New Driver Disorder Identified

Close to one in three (29 per cent) drivers found to suffer from newly recognised disorder ‘Traffic Stress Syndrome’

Traffic jams are not only bad for your mood – they can also damage your health, according to a new study from Direct Line.

‘The impact of traffic on drivers’ report – co-authored by health psychologist David Moxon – identifies a new condition named Traffic Stress Syndrome (TSS), a form of psychological anxiety that manifests itself in certain drivers while stuck in traffic.

According to the study, close to one in three drivers – nine million* UK motorists – currently suffer from TSS and show symptoms of the condition after being held up in traffic for as little as three to five minutes. 

One in five (20 per cent) experience increased heart-rates and headaches (19 per cent) and one in 10 endure sweaty palms (12 per cent).  In more severe cases drivers report nausea, dizziness (eight per cent) and stomach cramps (eight per cent) among the symptoms experienced. 

The impact of these symptoms along with the Direct Line research reveal a shocking picture of the full extent of TSS on driver behaviour.  Loss of concentration and hazardous driving brought about by the condition, have resulted in over two million** accidents for TSS drivers during or following traffic jams.

Other more common effects of the motoring condition include anxiety, irritation and heightened levels of anger.

The research by Direct Line additionally identifies the UK roads which experience heavy traffic and where motorists are most likely to suffer TSS. The worst road for TSS is topped rather unsurprisingly by the M25 South East (31 per cent), followed by the M6 West Midlands (26 per cent) and the M25 Western Sector (25 per cent).

Direct Line spokeswoman, Emma Holyer, said:

“ The findings are very worrying – with more vehicles than ever on British roads, driving has inevitably become more stressful, and, as a result motorists are suffering.  We would encourage drivers to take deep and slow breaths and try to think about other things than the jams when sitting in heavy traffic to avoid getting Traffic Stress Syndrome.”

Psychologist David Moxon who was part of the research team, described the importance of the findings:

"TSS is a form of stress that manifests itself in frustrated drivers – there is evidence to suggest that chronic TSS can be detrimental to both the physical and mental health of the motorist."

Direct Line’s top tips for sufferers of TSS compiled by David Moxon:
1. Leave extra time for your journey to avoid getting stressed in the first place
2. Take deep and slow breaths
3. Listen to calming or relaxing music
4. Use cognitive distraction tasks such as thinking of loved ones
5. If you have a recycle button on your air con use it – this will stop exhaust fumes from the traffic jam coming back into your car
6. Place some aroma-oil on a tissue and keep it in the cabin to fragrance your car

TalkTalk press release
Reaching for the Phone Stops Women Reaching for the Fridge

• Nearly 50% of women on diets say chatting to friends helps them shed pounds.

• A third of women have lost weight by using a diet tip provided by a friend.

• New TalkTalk study proves women could stop cravings by talking on the phone.

A new study by TalkTalk and health psychologist David Moxon shows that women should give their friends a call to keep motivation up and stop them falling into dangerous snack traps.

To complement their research, David and TalkTalk have been working closely with volunteers from a gym in Peterborough to understand their weight loss habits and see women putting the 'friends theory' into practice.

Research conducted amongst over a thousand women across the UK reveals that 34% of women view friends as essential to their weight loss efforts. A huge 49% strongly agreed that they used chatting to friends to stop them from 'cheating' on a diet. Another important trend that emerged from the research was that 30% of women take on board advice and tips from friends during conversation. Indeed, sharing advice between weight loss buddies seems more effective than accepting instructions direct from a teacher, or 'guru'.

David Moxon, a specialist in biopsychology who regularly consults on psychological and diet health issues, says: "There's so much diet advice about these days, but people forget that the simple methods are often the best. During my career I have noted that women especially work very well using the 'peer teaching' system, this revolves around advising each other following their own experience and sharing tips.

"David continues: "Following a teacher-led programme is great, but often you need more than that to keep you going – for women to pick up the phone and say, 'Yes, that's really working for me, you should try it' is highly liberating. Chatting is officially good for your waistline! It's also worth remembering who are the 'right' friends for diet chat are and those who might tempt you into falling short of your goals – it's OK to chat to them too, but not when you're hungry!

"Edwina, 53, one of the case studies involved in the Peterborough study commented; "Women are very good at giving advice, but don't always take their own. I use the support and advice of my friends to give my dieting efforts a boost and a breath of fresh air.

"Cravings were also a key issue for the interviewees. Davina, 36 said: "Chatting with others definitely takes your mind off craving snacks. My social support network is everything to my diet. It doesn't matter what time of day or night – we always know we can phone each other.

"David Moxon names chatting on the phone as his top tip for keeping motivated during weight loss, but also recommends:

• Keeping a diary of how you feel after exercise and eating a healthy meal.

• Remember no one can be 'good' 100% of the time. Don't beat yourself up after an overindulgence.

• Get outside – with the evenings lighter, go for a walk after a meal rather than collapsing on the sofa.

• Keeping a log of how far you've come – even if your weight loss is slow and steady, in no time you'll realise just how much you've achieved.

• Be realistic, set long term goals rather than constantly looking to fit into 'that' pair of jeans by next Monday.