Skip to main content

Survey reveals inattention as colossal car crash cause

A new survey of car crashes cites inattention as the leading cause. The study was carried out by Allianz Global Assistance and the Allianz technical centre and focussed on driver behaviour. The report revealed that around one third of car accidents are due to inattention, with 60% of drivers admitting that using mobile phones while driving is the leading reason for inattention. Meanwhile a further 40% of drivers admitted they talk on the phone while behind the wheel. Even more worryingly, 30% of drivers adm
July 8, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
A new survey of car crashes cites inattention as the leading cause. The study was carried out by 3924 Allianz Global Assistance and the Allianz technical centre and focussed on driver behaviour. The report revealed that around one third of car accidents are due to inattention, with 60% of drivers admitting that using mobile phones while driving is the leading reason for inattention. Meanwhile a further 40% of drivers admitted they talk on the phone while behind the wheel. Even more worryingly, 30% of drivers admitted to looking at emails and texts while driving and 20% send messages while driving. According to Allianz, a hands-free kit is as distracting as a mobile phone and increases the risk of a crash by two to five times. Risks are also increased by the use of GPS, radio and CD players, discussions with other passengers and putting on make-up while driving.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Driver distraction poses safety challenge
    June 18, 2012
    The risk of driver distraction is growing with the growth in information and communication technologies (ICT). Car manufacturers are under pressure to offer the latest technologies to maintain product strength. But at the same time firms also have to keep process of human interaction with the car simple, to reduce driver distraction.
  • Concerns for young drivers causing crashes
    May 24, 2016
    Concern is being expressed for the safety of young drivers. Statistics both from the US and the UK reveal the shockingly high risk of young drivers being involved in crashes. They also reveal that young drivers are a danger not only to themselves, but to other road users as well as the occupants of their own vehicles. The latest figures from the UK show that 2,088 young drivers and passengers aged from 17-24 were killed and seriously injured in just one year. Although the data shows that drivers aged fro
  • GHSA wants more action on distracted driving
    May 5, 2021
    Some US state laws have not kept pace with technology, says lobby group StopDistractions.org
  • Phone use at the wheel not smart
    July 13, 2017
    Research carried out for the UK driver’s association the RAC shows that even tougher new penalties are failing to dissuade those at the wheel from using phones. The research has shown that 60% of drivers believe being the cause of a crash would make them stop using phones while driving. According to the RAC, too many drivers remain unaware of the dangers of cell phone use while behind the wheel. And 86% of drivers admitting phone use at the wheel said they would stop doing so.