Hey, quiet in the back there!
It is not just mobile phones and billboards that provide the lion?s share of driver distractions-the average passenger has emerged as a major contributor to the problem. For many passengers, the novelty Ozzy Osbourne-voiced GPS system may be the most annoying thing in the world while travelling in a motor vehicle. However, in the eyes of the person driving, the annoyance may not be Ozzy, but those sitting beside and behind them. A recent survey undertaken by AA Insurance has provided some interesting insights into what drivers are most distracted by while behind the wheel. As expected, vehicle features such as stereos, GPS systems and DVD players were identified as problematic distractions amongst respondents. However, the biggest hazard towards concentration on the road appears to be the noise and actions of those in the car, in both the front and back seats. The 2009 drivers index survey revealed that over half of the 3708 people who participated said that passengers were regularly to blame for inattention and loss of concentration while driving. Not surprisingly, common driver distractions, such as eating behind the wheel, using of cell phones and applying make-up were popular faults among respondents. Billboards also featured heavily in the survey, with 34 per cent admitting to being distracted by the outside advertising signs. The statistics have prompted AA to reinforce the need for passengers, as much as the drivers themselves, to take responsibility and exercise caution on the road. ?Gadgets and music are often blamed as dangerous distractions but it may be that the hazard is the one sitting next to you ? or arguing in the back seat!? says Martin Fox, Deputy General Manager of AA Insurance. ?Drivers need to manage the distraction wherever it comes from, and it?s easy to underestimate how distracting passengers can be.? According to Mr Fox, accidents can easily be avoided if the person charged with getting the human cargo to their destination is given due consideration to focus. However, these considerations are a two way street. ?While passengers may be a more frequent distraction, other research and our claims records suggest that cell phones are a more severe distraction for drivers.? ?Really, if you?re driving, it should be the only thing you?re doing.??
