Watch Out! New Six-Country Distracted Driving Survey Reveals Worst Road Habits
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
It’s safe to say that all drivers are guilty of some form of distracted driving occasionally, but how many drivers would readily admit to, erm, romantic pursuits while behind the wheel?
If you believe a new international study of driving habits from wireless headset company Jabra, nearly 15 percent of drivers are guilty of engaging in sexual acts while driving. Suddenly, we don’t want to be on the roads…
Most online respondents — whether from the United States, U.K., France, Germany, Russia, or Japan — admitted to eating while driving. As Jabra notes to the 72 percent of those surveyed, “it is important to keep both hands on the wheel, not the meal.”
Twenty-eight percent of the respondents said they had sent text messages while driving, but we suspect that the true number is much higher.
From the 1800 responses, Jabra has determined that the French are the “biggest offenders” when it comes to yelling at other drivers. Head to Japan and you might find more drivers distracted by personal grooming and even video games than in other countries.
Other findings from the survey, which has a 2.1 percent margin of error:
⢠29 percent of respondents admitted to having kissed others while driving, whereas a smaller, but surprising number (15%) said they have performed sex or other sexual acts while driving.
⢠28 percent confirmed they have sent text messages while driving.
⢠13 percent reported they have applied makeup while driving.
⢠12 percent admitted to having written or read emails while driving.
⢠10 percent reported reading newspapers or magazines while driving.
⢠5 percent confessed to having played video games, and another 5 percent say that they have shaved while behind the wheel. Jabra says: “Look out for troubles, not for stubbles.”
We’re not so sure how much we trust an online survey conducted over four days in April, but the question is valid today more than ever: How often are you distracted while you drive? Would you admit to doing any of the activities above while driving? What are your worst driving habits?
Source: Jabra
