Driver distraction study shows problem on the rise

Eight in 10 (84%) motorists admit that they get distracted behind the wheel, up from 76% in 2018, according to a new road study by the Floow.

At a time when distracted driving is associated with more than a third of fatal car crashes in the UK, the Floow’s study of more than 2,000 adults suggests levels of UK driver distraction are getting worse.

Almost three in five (58%) of respondents said they took their eyes off the road when attempting to change the radio station, while more than half (51%) of drivers admitted to having a good old sing along to a tune.

Others admitted to drinking, eating, having an argument with a passenger and even daydreaming - all of which featured as top 10 driver distractions.

Overall, 15% of drivers admit to using their phone while driving – whether this be sending a text, checking social media, taking a call or looking for music.

The Floow’s study also suggested parents got more distracted when driving and were also the most likely to use their mobile phones.

Overall, 90% of parents admitted to taking their eyes off the road, rising from 85% six months ago.

Additionally, 38% of adults with children under the age of four conceded to having to deal with their children in the back whilst driving in the last month. By comparison, 82% of respondents without children admitted to distracted driving (rising from 73% in Aug 2018).

Driver distraction also correlates with driver age. The Floow research revealed that younger drivers, aged from 25-34, were those most likely to lose concentration while driving (94%).

They were most likely to take their attention off the road due to singing (64%), having a drink (46%) as well as day dreaming (46%). It was those aged 18-24 who said that they used their mobile phone the most (33%) – more than double than the national average.

The forms of distraction that drivers admit to during a typical month

1	Changed the radio station	58%	13	Dealt with children in the back seat	6%
2	Sing-a-long to a song	51%	14	Search music on my phone	5%
3	Drank a soft drink	30%	15	Got dressed (e.g. taking of a jumper)	5%
4	Eating	29%	16	Stroked a pet	4%
5	Made adjustments to a Sat Nav	18%	17	Lit a cigarette	4%
6	Day dreamed	15%	18	Made or received without hands-free	4%
7	Looked at myself in the mirror	13%	19	Played games (i.e. eye spy)	4%
8	Inputted destination/ route details into a built in Sat Nav	12%	20	Typed a text message without hands-free	3%
9	Changed a CD	12%	21	Adjusted hair in the mirror	3%
10	Had an argument with a passenger	8%	22	Counted the lines of the road	2%
11	Check my mobile for text/ social media	7%	23	Applied cosmetics	1%
12	Search and map app on my phone or plug in device	7%	24	Shopped online on my phone	1%

UK hotspots

The West Midlands has overtaken the East Midlands as the region where drivers are most likely to admit to distraction behind the wheel (88%).

The West Midlands was the region that saw the biggest rise in driver distraction since August 2018 (up from 69%).

More than four in five drivers in the East, Wales and Scotland (87%) also said that they got distracted when driving their car during the typical month.

Where are people most distracted behind the wheel?

	2018	2019	+/-
West Midlands	69%	88%	+19
East	72%	87%	+15
Wales	75%	87%	+12
Scotland	80%	87%	+7
East Midlands	81%	86%	+5
North West	74%	84%	+10
England	75%	84%	+9
Yorkshire	74%	83%	+9
South West	75%	83%	+8
South East	79%	83%	+4
North East	65%	82%	+17
London	79%	78%	-1

David James, chief operating officer of the Floow, said: “Our research shows the extent to which people are taking their eyes off the road for everyday journeys and it is alarming to see that distraction is on the rise.

“More needs to be done to make drivers more aware of the potential impact of their bad habits. In many cases, small changes can be made that will make them much safer drivers and have a profound impact on road safety in the UK.

He continued: “The growing maturity of telematics technology has helped to make roads safer and has enabled insurers to better manage risk by offering a more accurate picture on how each individual actually drives.

“Having your smartphone turned on, but not being handled during a journey, means the handset can be used as a sensor to monitor driver behaviour, which enables us to determine with great accuracy a driving score for each driver.

“Our scores monitor five elements of an individual’s driving behaviour: mobile distraction, fatigue relating to length of journey, smooth driving, speed and the time of day of the journey.

“By reviewing their scores, drivers can identify how to become safer drivers and, as they improve their scores they may be able to secure lower car insurance premiums.”