Keep your eyes on the road – Goodyear supports Direct Line survey findings

Research by Direct Line has revealed that 11 million motorists (28 per cent) have been involved in a collision either because they weren’t looking at the road or because they didn’t check their blind spot and almost a fifth of motorists (18 per cent) have been involved in a collision with another vehicle because they allowed their eyes to drift off the road.

The research also reveals that drivers spend on average 18 per cent of their time behind the wheel not watching the road, looking elsewhere every nine seconds.

Kate Rock, PR & corporate communications manager at Goodyear Tyres UK, has responded to the research: “Driving distractions come in many forms, including other passengers, mobiles phones and loud music. Driving is a serious matter and it’s important that motorists are prepared for the distractions they encounter every time they are behind the wheel and stay focused on the task in hand.

“We have found that mobile phone use is still prominent in young drivers, despite laws prohibiting their use. Worryingly, our extensive research reveals that 42 per cent of young drivers have admitted to using their mobile phone behind the wheel and almost one-quarter (23 per cent) said the risk of being prosecuted would not affect this. It’s absolutely imperative that more education is provided to make drivers aware of the potential dangers of the road and the distractions around them, so that safe driving becomes second nature.”