Much has been written about distracted driving over the years and how it leads to tragic outcomes. For instance, according to government figures from 2023, 940 people were killed or seriously injured when a driver was distracted by something within the vehicle they were travelling in, while 280 people were killed or seriously injured when a driver was distracted by something outside the vehicle.

The RAC recently polled 2,691 UK drivers about their own instances of distracted driving and a worryingly large 63% said that they had made at least one mistake while driving because their attention was elsewhere, and not on the road ahead.

The same poll also revealed that our perceptions about what the chief causes of distracted driving are were wrong and risks overlooking more significant causes.

Reality vs perception

Much of the blame for road deaths and serious injuries is often attributed to motorists being distracted by mobile phone use. However, the poll unearthed discrepancies about what it was that actually distracted a driver compared to what they perceive as being the most likely causes of distracted driving. Here’s how the top eight breaks down:

1. Admitted to being distracted by talking to passengers (43%) compared to 18% of drivers who perceive it to be distracting.

2. Daydreaming (37%) compared to 11% who perceive it to be distracting.

3. Looking at something unrelated outside the car (33%) compared to 24% who perceive it to be distracting.

4. Interacting with dashboard touchscreen systems (26%) compared to 30% who perceive it to be distracting.

5. Adjusting car controls using knobs and buttons (21%) compared to 15% who perceive it is distracting.

6. Talking on the phone (8%) compared to 46% who perceive it is distracting. However, among under-25s, instances of them being distracted while talking on the phone jumps to a worrying 23%.

7. Eating and drinking behind the wheel (8%) compared to 20% who perceive it is distracting. Again, instances leap up with under-25s with 18% saying it caused a distraction.

8. Picking up something they’d dropped (6%) compared to 35% who perceive it is distracting.

Cause and effect

The RAC’s poll also revealed what happens when the surveyed drivers did get distracted:

64% missed a junction/turning

51% exceeded the speed limit

42% ended up in the wrong lane

36% failed to notice speed limit increase

13% nearly collided with another car/pedestrian/cyclist

8% failed to stop at a junction/red light/crossing.

While mobile phone use and fussy dashboard controls remain of serious concern, the RAC’s poll reveals there are many major distractions that we must also consider when we’re out on the road. Failing to do so could have disastrous consequences not just for ourselves – but other road users, too.

“Talking to passengers or daydreaming are so common that they aren’t perceived by drivers to be big distractions, but our research has revealed they are in fact responsible for most of the errors drivers admit to … Driving is still a very mentally demanding task, especially as we need to be able to react to what’s in front in a split-second, so it’s important we do everything we can to stay alert and minimise distractions.”

• Rod Dennis, RAC Road Safety spokesperson

Know Your Code

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