NEARLY one in five road users are threatened with physical violence on Britain's roads each year, according to a survey.

The survey of 3,000 UK road users, carried out by Maru and Usurv and commissioned by Auto Trader, found that 18% said they had faced such threats.

Some 11% of road users were involved in a physical altercation, while half of road users (53%) - including motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, runners or wheelchair users - had been or felt intimidated while on the roads.

The poll also found that 67% had experienced tailgating and 41% claimed they had been sworn at or insulted.

Auto Trader has launched a campaign called #SwearToChange aimed at sparking a constructive debate on road equality.

The campaign has been supported by double Olympic gold medal winning cyclist and jockey Victoria Pendleton and British Paralympic athlete Lauren Steadman.

Pendleton said: "We all have an equal right to be on the road, so let's be more compassionate and considerate to others and see what change we can drive."

Her words were echoed by Steadman, who said: "I am someone who spends a lot of time running, cycling and driving on UK roads, so it's alarming to see the statistics on aggression, physical violence and abuse.

"With changes in infrastructure and more people taking up cycling and running, there's no better time to challenge these attitudes and #SwearToChange."