WA drivers driven to distraction

15 April 2009

The RAC says it is alarmed by the results of a new survey that show Western Australian drivers understand the dangers of being distracted behind the wheel, but continue to flaunt road rules putting them and other road users in danger.

The survey revealed that nine in 10 people rated sending or receiving a text message as the biggest distraction for drivers yet more than four in 10 respondents still confessed to doing it.

Other major distractions according to respondents were attending to children, pets or animals and reading while driving, which 54 per cent of people admitted to doing at some stage over the last 12 months.

Overall more than one in five respondents said they had crashed because of a distraction either inside or outside the car.

The RAC’s Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown said he was concerned by the results because it was estimated driver distractions played a part in between 25-40 per cent of serious injuries and fatalities on our roads.

“Our survey results show that there are a number of distractions both inside and outside the vehicle, but the perceived level in which they impair a person’s ability to drive varies widely.

“Our message to motorists is that any distraction, however small, has the potential to cause a serious accident and they should avoid or ignore whatever that distraction is while driving.”

“Ninety-nine times out of a hundred you might get away with whatever distracts you in the car, but it only takes a second of lost concentration to have a potentially fatal accident.

“Motorists must take more responsibility when they are driving.”

Mr Brown said the survey revealed that inside the car people, insects and technology were also distractions.

“A large number of respondents said that insects such as spiders, bees and flies caused them to be distracted while often passengers in the car also caused them to lose concentration,” Mr Brown said.

“The worst thing to do is to panic when there is a bee or spider in the car. Safely pull over and deal with the insect before starting on your way again.

“Using technology was also a diversion for many motorists with iPods, Tom Toms and GPS systems all frequently mentioned by respondents in the survey.”

Outside the car, driver behaviour and other road users were the big distractions.

“Hooning, road rage, erratic drivers, tailgating were all popular responses while cyclists and motorcyclists were also seen as unwanted diversions for motorists.

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