Tag Archives: Exchange and Mart

Are you a distracted driver?

girl-phone-car-damageA new survey conducted by Exchange and Mart reveals that nearly 1 in 4 motorists admit to driving when distracted which is a known factor in too many road accidents.

So, they’ve developed an excellent ‘Distracted Driving’ website, during Road Safety Week, to draw motorists’ attention to this.

And we’re adding some simple tips based on our experiences to help motorists who might be affected by these distractions.

Distracted Driving – the Facts

In Great Britain there were over 185,000 road traffic injuries and fatalities during the year ending June 2016) and an estimated 139,000 could have been prevented if motorists had been less distracted behind the wheel.

Loss of concentration through tiredness, affecting driving ability, is the greatest cause of road accidents (62%) and the Exchange and Mart research confirms that nearly 1 in 4 motorists readily admit to regularly driving in these circumstances.

Jim Murray Jones, General Manager for Exchange and Mart explained that their idea of a Distracted Driving website is to encourage more people to make the Brake Pledge.

A new cause for concern is the tendency of some motorists to use their mobile phone whilst driving despite knowing this is illegal and carries a fine of £100 plus 3 penalty points. In the Exchange and Mart survey 9% of motorists said they used their mobile phone when driving, rising to a worrying 33% in the 18-24 years age bracket.

Another cause of driving accidents is ‘distractions outside the vehicle’ including the likes of eye-catching bill-board advertising and being nosy about other vehicles involved in road traffic accidents.

Regular Driving Distractions

When asked ‘Which of the following distractions are regular happenings?’ the number of reported incidents rose as did the average number of motorists of all ages to admit this.

In order of significance
+ 63% admitted to fiddling with the car radio/in-car entertainment or heating/air con
+ 40% were distracted by passengers (Mums know this all too well)
+ 36% adjusted seat belts, seat positioning and mirrors whilst behind the steering wheel
+ 35% ate and drank whilst driving.

Driver Distractions by Age Group

The following activities distracted one age group more than others as illustrated below.

Altering the car radio/in-car entertainment/heating/air con
Distracted 74% of 55-65 year olds

Eating and Drinking
Distracted 56% of 18-24 year olds

Lighting, smoking and extinguishing a cigarette
Distracted 56% of 65+ motorists

Vehicle Passengers (including children)
Distracted 53% of motorists aged 35-44 years

Loss of concentration through tiredness
Distracted 44% of responders aged 65+

Adjusting seatbelts, seat positioning and mirrors
Distracted 44% of 18-24 year olds

Mobile phone usage
Distracted 33% of 18-24 year olds

Looking at something outside, like advertisements or a road accident
Distracted 33% of 65+ drivers

Using external devices, such as Sat Nav or hands free equipment
Distracted 29% of 25-34 year olds

Tips to Counter Driver Distractions

If you recognise any of these signs, you are at risk of being distracted at the wheel.

These tips will help you stay safer whilst hopefully improving your driving concentration.

1 Commit to staying safer on our roads in future by signing the Brake Pledge.

2 Plan ahead. Always make sure your driver seat and mirrors are correctly positioned for maximum visibility and that any SatNav or info-tainment systems are correctly programmed for your journey BEFORE you set out.

3 Don’t drive if you’re too tired (and don’t have to). If you absolutely have to drive yet know you didn’t get a good enough night’s sleep, resort to strong coffee at the outset and regular stops for some fresh air, food and drink.

4 If travelling alone and feeling the need to concentrate, consider talking out loud, describing your car journey in the greatest of detail. Sounds mad but it works because you have to concentrate to do this well so you can’t be thinking about other things at the same time.

5 Put your mobile phone in the boot so you aren’t distracted by it when driving.

6 Suggest that older children assume responsibility for looking after younger children so you can concentrate on driving.

7 Remember that accidents are caused when drivers are being nosy about other road accidents. This might be human nature but it’s too dangerous for you to indulge in yet you need to be ultra alert to less savvy others.

8 If travelling with children you might involve them to help you spot the speed limit signs. This helps them prepare for safer driving too.

9 When driving on A or B roads why not play a driving game? The winner is doing precisely the lower speed limit when she/he enters a lower speed zone (as in leaving a 60mph speed limit and entering a 30mph zone). Think of this as a curtain – when you drive through this curtain into the lower speed zone you should be doing the new speed precisely… And you shouldn’t speed up until you pass through that curtain again, into a faster speed zone!!
_________________________________

These are all things that hopefully will help you concentrate, stay alert and avoid the most common driving distractions.

FOXY

PS: Thank you to Brake and Exchange & Mart for reminding us about our driving vulnerabilities here.

Needless to say, if you would appreciate this sort of advice and support in future (or know a female who would) – to help you or them reduce motoring stress, save money, enjoy better services and become a better driver, you’ll find yourself in good company by joining The Club HERE.