In-car gadgets responsible for increased road traffic accidents

The Department for Transport recently announced that the number of deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s road rose by 4 per cent to nearly 25,000 in 2014, with some commentators suggesting that in-car technology is distracting drivers behind the wheel. This concern is echoed in consumer research undertaken by BCA, Europe’s leading used vehicle marketplace, which found that 95 per cent of respondents had seen other motorists using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving.

According to the BCA research carried out in September 2014, 83 per cent had seen other drivers texting and emailing whilst on the road. But mobile phones are not the only technology distracting drivers. Over half of respondents (52 per cent) admitted to looking at their Sat Nav rather than the road at a junction or roundabout and 47 per cent had seen other motorists doing the same. A small percentage even confessed to accessing the internet or social media while driving!

“BCA’s research reinforces other expert opinion that in-car technology is distracting drivers and at least contributing to the rise in road traffic accidents”, said Tim Naylor, Editor of the BCA Used Car Market Report. “And whilst the perception is that young motorists are likely to be the most distracted by in-car gadgets whilst driving, BCA’s consumer research suggests it is older drivers, aged 26-40, that are thought to be the main culprits.”