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

  • Greater risk to pedestrians from safer cars?
    March 11, 2016
    A new study the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) in the US reveals that pedestrian deaths are increasing. The study is based on preliminary data from the State Highway Safety Offices. Following adjustments to that data for underreporting, the GHSA study estimates that pedestrian deaths increased 10% in the first half of 2015 compared with the previous year. Even without the adjustment, pedestrian deaths were still 6% greater, at 2,368 for 2015 than 2014.
  • Spanish analysis of crash data by vehicle type
    October 7, 2014
    Crash data analysis from Spain highlights key areas of concern with regard to the road safety of specific vehicle types. The report was compiled by Ponle Freno-AXA de Seguridad and covers the period from January-August 2014, analysing more than 176,000 collisions. Most dangerous of all, quad bikes were the cause of 83% of the crashes they were involved in. Meanwhile industrial vehicles and trucks were the cause of 80% of the crashes they were involved in. Vans were the cause of 65% of the crashes they were
  • DUI strategies around the world
    December 11, 2017
    New strategies in several developed countries are being introduced in strategies to try to reduce the incidences of driving under the influence. The Pan-European police group, Tispol, reports that In the Netherlands, officers will commence road-side saliva tests to catch drug driving offenders. Early results since the programme launched in July have been described as ‘the tip of the iceberg’. Like other countries, the Netherlands already had laws against drug driving, but enforcement was based on
  • Road markings important for road safety
    February 20, 2012
    Manufacturers are constantly upgrading marking materials and equipment. Now those responsible for highways are being asked to do more as Patrick Smith reports. A recent report claimed that nearly one-third of the length of Britain's single carriageway A-roads have white lines so worn out that they do not meet recognised standards. According to the LifeLines Report, an assessment of more than 2,400km of the road network, Britain's most dangerous roads have the most worn-out centre line markings of all, leavi