4x4s are soaring in popularity as an urban lifestyle choice but do people actually know how to drive them?

Research by Continental has shown that only 5% of drivers learned to drive in large vehicles such as 4x4s, despite the fact that sales of 4x4s in Britain almost doubled last year, reaching 137,582 - with many drivers buying 4x4s for use in towns and cities.

4x4s have become chic since style leaders such as David Beckham and Kate Moss have been seen in them. However, the research by Continental reveals that safety is the main driver in purchasing a 4x4 with 33% of the parents surveyed rating 4x4s as the safest vehicles, followed by saloons (25%) and people carriers (15%).

Continental Tyres is challenging drivers to get to know their 4x4s in a bid to help consumers get to grips with the different challenges posed by on-road 4x4 driving.

The majority of 4x4 owners are unaware of the impact tyres have on a vehicle's safety and handling and the importance of having the appropriate tyres fitted, with many driving with off-road tyres in an urban environment. Continental Tyres has developed an award-winning range of 4x4 tyres specifically for urban use.

Fiona Pinkney, Safety Spokesperson for Continental Tyres: "There is a need to recognise that more and more drivers are choosing to use 4x4s in towns and cities - as seen by the increase in sales. The reality now is that the 4x4 is an increasingly urban vehicle and, across Europe, our research shows that 92% of 4x4s never leave tarmac.

"There is no doubt that there are some great advantages in driving a 4x4 vehicle.  4x4s are very practical in terms of their load carrying capacity. The challenge is to make urban 4x4 driving as safe as possible - in terms of the tyres you choose, the knowledge you have of 4x4 driving and the awareness you have of how a 4x4 affects other road users.

"Continental has met the challenge of urban 4x4 driving head on with a range of on-road 4x4 tyres that dramatically reduce stopping distances, improve fuel economy and cut noise levels."

To coincide with the release of its award winning tyres, Continental has also put together advice for urban 4x4 driving:

• Allow for longer stopping distances - 4x4s are much heavier vehicles and consequently take longer to stop
• Exercise greater caution when cornering or taking avoiding action - the 4x4's higher centre of gravity means it can be less stable than a normal car in extreme situations
• Be conscious of the size of a 4x4 and the impact that will have on other drivers

In a recent Auto Express 4x4 tyre test, Continental's Conti4x4Contact was rated as the best 4x4 tyre across six categories: noise levels, fuel economy, wet braking, wet cornering, wet handling and dry handling. Auto Express concluded: "for on-road use no maker could get near the Continental".