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

  • Drug driver testing to start in the UK
    July 12, 2013
    From 2014 the police in the UK will be able to use drug testing kits to check if drivers are under the influence while at the wheel. After consultation with medical experts, limits have been set for quantities of illegal and legal drugs that are permissible in the bloodstream while a driver is in control of a motor vehicle. Tests have already been carried out on different types of drug testing kits that use saliva samples to determine whether a person is under the influence. These kits have already been int
  • Drug use by drivers needs further research
    May 26, 2017
    Further research needs to be carried out into the effects of drug use by drivers. Following the legalisation of marijuana for recreational use in some US states, there is concern over the risk this may pose to driving. Most people understand that driving while under the influence of alcohol is a risk. But many people think marijuana to have less of an effect on driving ability and do get behind the wheel following its use. Exactly how many drivers in these US states drive after (or while) taking marijuana i
  • Safer roads for UK?
    February 29, 2012
    A major campaign is commencing in the UK with the laudable aim of reducing road fatality rates.
  • Analysing intelligent speed adaptation benefits
    April 12, 2012
    Oliver Carsten, Professor of Transport Safety at the Institute for Transport Studies (ITS) at the University of Leeds, UK, discusses Intelligent Speed Adaptation, looking at its safety potential