Driven to Distraction: Road Safety for Multi-Taskers

Following one of the first ever recorded car-related deaths, the coroner was quoted as saying he hoped that such a thing would never happen again.

However, ever since that ill-fated day in London in August 1896, when a Mrs Bridget Driscoll became one of the earliest recorded car accident fatalities, it is estimated that as many as 25 million people have died on the world’s roads, with current trends indicating that over one million people die on the roads each year.

Indeed, whilst the positive influence that motorised transport has had on the modern world is probably incalculable, there is little doubt that operating any motor vehicle requires the utmost care and attention because as the statistics show, the roads can be a very dangerous place. Of course, factors not under the driver’s control, such as weather, road conditions and even vehicle failure can all contribute towards the dangers; but it’s thought that 95% of car accidents are caused by human error.

Furthermore, drink-driving has always played a part in a large percentage of road accidents which is why governments and road-safety campaigners have battled for decades to raise awareness of the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol. And these campaigns do seem to have worked, as deaths related to drink-driving fell by almost two thirds between 1979 and 2007.

But many accidents are also caused by the driver simply failing to give their full attention to the road and other road-users. In recent years, mobile phones have become synonymous with dangerous driving, with many drivers choosing to make or receive calls or even send text messages whilst behind the wheel. Hands-free kits have proven to be viable alternatives, allowing the driver to keep both hands on the wheel whilst talking at the same time. But even so, the person on the other end of the phone can’t see when the driver is about to change lanes or make a difficult manoeuvre so they will inevitably continue to talk for the duration.

But this is now being reflected in the law, and any driver using a mobile phone – hands-free or otherwise – who subsequently causes a fatality, can go to jail for up to five years. Indeed, the law covers any driver who causes injury through being ‘avoidably distracted’, whether it’s by changing radio stations, eating food or even applying make-up. And this can only be a good thing, as even the best multi-taskers get it wrong and there is no room for error when people’s lives are at stake.

But even on a less serious level, the financial implications can last for quite some time as the cost of repairing a car can be substantial. Applying for discount car insurance in the future may prove impossible, as premiums tend to be much higher – or even unavailable - for those who have made any previous claims, and this can be very costly for those who rely on their cars to make a living.

So, there are many reasons why it’s important to be 100% focussed whilst driving as even the slightest distraction can ruin many lives. And as the saying goes, it’s far better to be safe than extremely sorry.

About the Author

Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.