NEW research has proved that cars with automatic transmissions suffer fewer rear end shunts than manual cars. Lease Plan's analysis of its 30,000 strong accident management fleet shows that manual cars are twice as likely as automatics to be hit from behind.

The reasons behind these startling statistics are thought to be due to braking systems, and in particular brake lights. A manual transmission gearbox can be used to slow a vehicle, giving no warning to vehicles behind of the driver's intention or action. But this is not possible in an automatic, where drivers must use the brakes to slow down, illuminating the rear brake lights and communicating their intentions to the driver behind.