Research and
Case Studies
Driver Distraction by RAC
Annual Report on Motoring identifies the worrying extent of in-car distractions.
Over a third (39%) of UK motorists become seriously distracted when driving, according to the 2009 RAC Report on Motoring1. Young drivers (17 to 24 year olds) are the most likely to lose concentration behind the wheel with over half (55%) confessing that they become ‘seriously distracted'.
Remarkably, one in five young motorists said they drive while listening to music through headphones, and 16% even admitted to putting on make-up behind the steering wheel. Although over a quarter (26%) of drivers between the ages of 17-24 admitted to texting while on the road, just 3% of the same group actually considered this behaviour acceptable.
Motorists were also asked which of their in-car gadgets and technologies they found to be most distracting, the top five were:
- In-car music/changing CD and radio controls (57%)
- Sat-Nav systems (41%)
- Mobile phones (32%)
- Air-con controls (31%)
- Dashboard warning lights (21%)
The research also looked at the impact in-car distractions can have on driving performance and the potentially fatal distances that vehicles can travel when motorists avert their eyes from the road for just a few seconds.
Download the complete report.