The average motorists thinks they check their mobile 21 times a day on average, and three of these times will occur while they are driving. Despite this widespread use of smartphones and mobile devices while in the driving seat, 44 per cent were unaware of the legal penalty for doing so – six points on your license and a £200 fine.Īnd two third of those surveyed believe using your smartphone while driving is just as dangerous as driving after two pints at the pub.And 86 per cent admit it irritates them when they notice drivers in other vehicles using their phone when the road should have their undivided attention.

Mobile phones are a key source of distraction for drivers, with 31 per cent confessing to checking their device when they should have their minds on the task at hand. And only a third of drivers would consider themselves a completely safe presence when they hit the road. “And while we are sure many of the four in five drivers guilty of being distracted in the driver’s seat will be confident in their multitasking abilities, we think the findings should be seen as concerning.”Īs a result of this distracted driving, 26 per cent believe they have had a near-miss with another motorist, and one in 10 have actually had a collision because their attention was elsewhere. Weiss, CEO of German Autolabs, who commissioned the study, said: “ Driving is a somewhat mundane part of everyday life for millions of Brits across the country, and this chore-like familiarity can lead us to grow complacent to the potential risks around us. Thirty five per cent have taken their eyes off the road to pass something to the passenger in the backseat, and 20 per cent have kept their foot on the accelerator while checking a map on their phone.

A more experimental eight per cent of drivers have tried to operate the pedals using different feet, while six per cent have attempted a sexual act getting from A to B.įourteen per cent have even had reason to stroke their pet while on the road, presenting the hairiest hazard on the list. Four in five motorists have done something while driving which has potentially put them in danger, including stroking their pet on the way to the vets, putting on their make-up and – for a small number – performing a sexual act.Ī social 25 per cent have taken a phone call in the driver’s seat, and 14 per cent have tapped out a text message. SURVEY UK 08/2018 Visit us at IFA, hall 26, booth 216 for a product demoīerlin, 21th August 2018: Motorists on the road are distracted by their phone, their pets and even the advances of their other half, a study has revealed.

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