A third of UK car owners are driven to distraction
18/03/2005
Research released today reveals a worrying tendency amongst UK drivers to get distracted when in their cars - 36 per cent of UK drivers admit having had an accident or near miss when distracted.
The survey, by Virgin Money Car Insurance, shows that many more people get distracted by mobile phones, noisy children, and even make-up application when driving - 68 per cent of respondents admitted to being occasionally distracted at the wheel.
The worst distraction culprit is map-reading, with almost a quarter of those surveyed admitting they read maps whilst driving; talking on a handheld mobile phone followed, with 19 per cent confessing to this distraction felony.
However, the research also reveals that many people are extremely critical of those who get distracted when driving.
Almost all respondents said there was a real need for drivers to pay special care and attention when at the wheel, and 81 per cent believed those who use a handheld mobile in the car should have points removed from their licence.
"It's encouraging that people see the sense in having laws which deter drivers from doing anything except concentrating on their driving," comments Jason Wyer-Smith of Virgin Money Car Insurance.
"However many motorists are still flouting the law and this is putting lives at risk. The message from this survey is clear: keep your mind on your driving, keep your hands on the wheel and help to make Britain's roads safer."
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