A new survey conducted by Compare The Market has revealed that 81 per cent of drivers report being in a car accident due to distracted driving.
The study aims to raise awareness of potential hazards while driving - having polled drivers on their biggest distractions - the average cost of damage to the vehicle, and the model of the car involved in the accident.
Among some of most common driver distractions were weather conditions (41 per cent ), dealing with children or pets (33 per cent ), and eating or drinking (31 per cent ). A quarter of drivers admitted to driving while writing or reading a text message. And Toyota Camry (seven per cent ) was the car model revealed to be involved in distracted driving accidents the most.
When driving for a prolonged period of time, it can be easy to become distracted, and some 81 per cent of drivers have been involved in a car accident due to distracted driving, according to a new study by Compare the Market AU.
According to the study, the top 10 were revealed as:
Weather conditions - 41 per cent
Dealing with children or pets -33 per cent
Eating or drinking - 31 per cent
Other passengers in the car - 26 per cent
Writing or reading a text message (with phone in hand ) - 25 per cent
Phoning (with device in hand ) – 24 per cent
Being lost in thoughts, ideas, problems – 22 per cent
Outside person, object, or event – 21 per cent
Mess within the car -19 per cent
Drowsy driving – 18 per cent
Weather conditions topped the list due to distraction - from obstructed vision due to the bright sun rays to slippery roads due to thunderstorms, drivers should be extra cautious when driving in adverse weather conditions.
However, distracted driving does not always arise from external behaviours. One in five (22 per cent ) of respondents said they had been in an accident due to being lost in thoughts, ideas, and problems. Almost one in five (18 per cent ) said they had been involved in an accident due to drowsy driving, showing the importance of resting up before a long journey.
When it comes to damage caused to their vehicles, the average cost of damage was $1,462.56, with 15 per cent of drivers writing off their car when it came to distracted driving accidents. Some 22 per cent said they had been distracted by internal technology systems.
Commenting on the research, Adrian Taylor, Compare the Market’s general manager of general insurance, says there are several internal and external stimuli that can cause drivers to be distracted - from weather conditions to a mess in the vehicle.
"Our research has emphasised the sheer number of potential distractions to drivers, but it has also pointed out that despite the well-known hazards of actions, such as texting while driving, some drivers continue to engage in them."
