RESEARCH commissioned by the UK's leading independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, has revealed that British motorists are most likely to call their insurance provider first, rather than the police, a family member, or a friend, after a minor road accident.

The survey, which asked 1,004 motorists who they would call in the event of a low-speed accident where somebody has damaged their car, such as a dent on the bumper, revealed that more than one third - 36 per cent - would call their insurance company first.

This compares to 30 per cent who said they would call a family member, 28 per cent who reported that they are likely to call the police, and just nine per cent who would call a friend.

The decision on whether or not to call the police fetched the most polarised results, with one in three answering that they would be the last people to call in the event of a minor incident, but 28 per cent thought that the police would be their first port of call.

The survey also found some 36 per cent of respondents would try to get a confession from the driver who hit their car.

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at IAM RoadSmart, said: "After an incident on the road, it can be difficult to remain calm and consider the most logical course of action. Calling your insurance company is the right thing to do but it is important to remember that the nature of the situation will also determine who to call.

"For example, we would only suggest calling the police if somebody is hurt, a crime has been committed, or you are in the live lane of a motorway or dual carriageway, with no other way of getting help.

"Equally, if your car's lights have been damaged in poorly lit conditions, it is important that you do not continue on your journey and that you call your breakdown company, or a family member or helpful friend."