Skip to main content

Speeding and distracted present major road safety threats

Speeding and distracted driving are key concerns for UK road users. Those are seen as the highest threat to safety according to a survey carried out jointly by road safety charity Brake, Aviva and Specsavers. The survey asked 1,000 drivers to identify which driving behaviour, from a list of six, they thought posed the biggest danger. And 76% ranked speeding or distraction most highly. Driving under the influence was also ranked highly, with 18% thinking drink- and drug-drivers are the biggest threat. But
November 21, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Speeding and distracted driving are key concerns for UK road users. Those are seen as the highest threat to safety according to a survey carried out jointly by road safety charity 3963 Brake, 4075 Aviva and Specsavers. The survey asked 1,000 drivers to identify which driving behaviour, from a list of six, they thought posed the biggest danger. And 76% ranked speeding or distraction most highly.

Driving under the influence was also ranked highly, with 18% thinking drink- and drug-drivers are the biggest threat. But only 3% said that vehicle emissions are the biggest threat faced, while just 1% ranked not wearing a seat belt wearing as the biggest danger and 2% rated poor vision as the biggest risk.

The age of respondents was significant regarding whether speed or distraction were placed top. Drivers aged 44 and under said speeding is the biggest threat, while drivers aged 45 and older rated distraction as their biggest fear.

The Road Safety Week survey also asked drivers which risks they would admit to taking on the roads themselves, with 79% admitting taking risks. Up to 63% confessed to sometimes speeding while 45% said that they drive distances that they could easily walk. Worryingly, 13% admitted to driving while distracted and 9% confessed to not wearing a seat belt or their passengers not wearing a seat belt.

Age was significant regarding admissions of risk-taking. Drivers aged 45 and above were more likely to admit to speeding than younger drivers. Conversely, drivers aged 44 and under were more likely to admit to driving distracted, driving under the influence, or failing to wear a seatbelt.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Pan-European enforcement of driving laws due
    August 27, 2013
    Agreements are being reached that will see Pan-European enforcement of driving regulations. Drivers will now face being penalised for any offences committed in other European countries. The change is due on 7th November 2013. After this date EU Member States will commence the cross border exchange of data relating to road traffic offences. For this scheme to work, eight offences have been listed in the data exchange programme. These are; speeding, not using a seatbelt, red light running, drink driving, driv
  • Improving safety for older drivers
    February 3, 2016
    A new report by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) shows that older motorists favour tighter health and ability tests on the over-70s to drive. The IAM report, Keeping Older Drivers Safe and Mobile, shows that most older drivers agree with tighter rules on checking health and suitability, even if those checks could take them off the road themselves.
  • Passengers’ pestering proves distracting for drivers
    January 4, 2016
    A survey of drivers carried out in the UK reveals that a significant portion believe their spouse to be their most annoying passenger. This could pose a serious risk too since annoying passengers can provide a major distraction to drivers. The survey, carried out by car leasing firm OSV said that 43% of male drivers and 41% of female drivers found their spouse to be the most annoying passenger. The survey also found that around 65% of motorists admit to regularly arguing in their car. Other annoying passeng
  • Powered two wheeler safety plan for Europe
    November 16, 2015
    A new road safety strategy for powered two wheelers in Europe has been set out jointly following discussions. The results of analysis have been set out in a joint position statement by the bodies FEMA, FIM and FIM Europe. In the draft report FEMA and FIM have identified seven major areas of great importance that are in accordance with the positions of the riders’ organisations in Europe and elsewhere. Key recommendations and statements from the OECD-ITF draft report highlight issues for the safety of powe