MORE than half of all drivers in the West Midlands are “amber gamblers” at traffic lights, a new road safety survey has revealed.

Research commissioned by tyre manufacturer Goodyear shows that many motorists have a “poor understanding” of the Highway Code.

A nationwide poll of 5,000 drivers showed a large percentage failed to correctly answer a number of general knowledge and picture questions covering the Highway Code.

West Midland motorists came in ninth in regional ranks.

The survey showed that 55 per cent of drivers in the West Midlands did not know to stop when a traffic light shone its red and amber lights together.

Meanwhile, 51 per cent of those surveyed did not know that the typical stopping distance for a car driving at 50mph is 53 metres or 13 car lengths.

Nearly a fifth thought they could get away with 36 metres.

A total of 24 per cent of drivers did not know what a no overtaking road sign meant, the survey revealed.

But 96 per cent of respondents felt their understanding of the Highway Code was “adequate or good” while over 41 per cent do not believe that drivers should be re-tested.

Eddy Geerdink, Goodyear’s marketing director, said: “Our survey shows that a number of drivers in the West Midlands would fail their driving test.”