Approximately two-thirds of drivers admitted to committing errors due to distractions, yet the primary contributors to these distractions may not always be their phones.
Lose focus on the road more often than not? You're not alone, pal! The RAC recently polled 2,691 motorists in Blighty, and guess what they found? The biggest culprits for distracting drivers aren't fancy gadgets, but good ol' human chatter and daydreaming.
Talking to passengers (43%) and letting your mind wander (37%) are the top distractions that lead to errors behind the wheel. The RAC has issued a stark warning about these "unnecessary mistakes" because they can be downright dangerous, posing risks to other road users.
Incredibly, 63% of the polled drivers admitted to being distracted while driving for one reason or another. Technology plays a part in driver errors, too, but it's not the greatest distraction. Interacting with modern touchscreens to control functions like heating, radio, and navigation leads around a quarter of drivers to perform subpar driving.
In the survey, participants shared mistakes caused by distraction, such as missing a junction, speeding, ending up in the wrong lane, and near misses with other drivers. When asked about what they consider distracting, 46% of respondents pointed to "talking on a phone."
However, among those who admitted to making distracted mistakes, only 8% cited using their phone, and merely 2% mentioned the application of makeup or shaving.
A whopping 25% of drivers confessed to making errors due to being engrossed in changing the infotainment screen in their vehicles.
Surprisingly, even though "talking on a phone" was the most commonly named distraction, only 23 road fatalities in 2023 were partly due to phone use. Distraction and impairment were factors in 34.9% of all fatal accidents, with speed and behavior or inexperience as more frequent contributors.
With the increasing popularity of larger touchscreens in new cars, there's growing concern drivers are becoming too engrossed in the systems, taking their focus away from the road.
New roadside camera technology might soon catch those who can't resist using their phone while driving and issue fines automatically. Furthermore, next year, automakers may face safety rating downgrades for vehicles with overly complicated touchscreens.
It's essential to stay alert and minimize distractions while driving, as the consequences of distractions can be severe, not just for the driver, but for other road users as well.
- In the realm of car-maintenance and lifestyle, it's crucial to limit distractions while driving, as an increasing number of drivers (25%) are admitting to making errors due to being engrossed in changing the infotainment screen in their vehicles.
- Amid concerns about growing distractions caused by technology, new roadside camera technology might soon penalize drivers using their phones behind the wheel, while automakers may face safety rating downgrades for vehicles with overly complicated touchscreens in the upcoming year.
- Despite "talking on a phone" being the most commonly named distraction among drivers, only 23 road fatalities in 2023 were partly due to phone use. On the other hand, distraction and impairment were factors in 34.9% of all fatal accidents, with speed and behavior or inexperience as more frequent contributors.
