Hastings Direct – Driver Focus Survey -Driven To Distraction

PRLog (Press Release) – Apr 03, 2008 – Men are twice as likely to be distracted by kissing or reading a newspaper while driving a car than women, new research has shown.

A survey by on-line car insurance provider, Hastings Direct, found 11 percent of men, compared to just five percent of women, admitted to crashing because they were distracted at the wheel.

The survey of 1000 motorists reveals 30 percent of men and 20 percent of women reported near misses as a result of distractions, citing adjusting the car stereo, eating or drinking cola while driving as risky behaviour likely to cause an accident.

And many confessed to talking on mobile phones (not hands free) and map reading while driving.

More unusual distractions included shaving, reading a book, kissing, applying make up and even swotting insects while behind the wheel.

“Clearly, motorists understand their behaviours are dangerous but as many as 75 percent own up to taking their eyes off the road to do something other than driving,” Hastings Direct managing director, Nick Potts said.

“While virtually all the drivers surveyed (96 percent) acknowledged that texting while driving was the most dangerous behaviour, one in five declared doing it.

“Many also expressed their anger at seeing other drivers’ unsafe behaviour, yet most owned up to being distracted drivers themselves.”

Drivers admitted to taking the following risks:

Adjusting the car stereo  -   76 percent
Drinking a cola     -   66 percent
Eating    -   64 percent
Handling CDs     -   50 percent
Talking on a mobile phone  -   42 percent
Reading a map     -   41 percent

ENDS

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