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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Many motorists are 'distracted' | Many motorists are 'distracted' |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| More than a third of motorists who took part in a survey said they had become seriously distracted when driving. | More than a third of motorists who took part in a survey said they had become seriously distracted when driving. |
| The RAC found 39% of the 1,109 drivers it surveyed were distracted by changing compact discs, fiddling with sat-navs and using mobile phones. | The RAC found 39% of the 1,109 drivers it surveyed were distracted by changing compact discs, fiddling with sat-navs and using mobile phones. |
| The survey suggested younger motorists were more likely to be distracted. | The survey suggested younger motorists were more likely to be distracted. |
| Government figures show deaths that were at least partly due to in-car distractions rose by 50% in recent years, from 50 in 2005 to 75 in 2007. | Government figures show deaths that were at least partly due to in-car distractions rose by 50% in recent years, from 50 in 2005 to 75 in 2007. |
| BBC transport correspondent Richard Scott said it was not just mobile phones that were the problem. | BBC transport correspondent Richard Scott said it was not just mobile phones that were the problem. |
| The report asked motorists which items they found seriously distracting. | The report asked motorists which items they found seriously distracting. |
| Top was music - nearly 60% of people said fiddling with controls or changing CDs affected their concentration. | Top was music - nearly 60% of people said fiddling with controls or changing CDs affected their concentration. |
| Second were sat-navs, with just over 40% finding these a problem. | Second were sat-navs, with just over 40% finding these a problem. |
| And a little over 20% said their attention was affected by the warning lights on their dashboards. | And a little over 20% said their attention was affected by the warning lights on their dashboards. |
| Messages ignored | Messages ignored |
| Drivers aged between 17 and 24 were the most likely to lose concentration behind the wheel, according to the survey, with 55% confessing that they had become "seriously distracted" while driving. | Drivers aged between 17 and 24 were the most likely to lose concentration behind the wheel, according to the survey, with 55% confessing that they had become "seriously distracted" while driving. |
| The RAC advised motorists to set everything up before setting off and to get passengers to help. | The RAC advised motorists to set everything up before setting off and to get passengers to help. |
| David Bizley, RAC technical director said it was important "in-car gadgets" are used appropriately. | David Bizley, RAC technical director said it was important "in-car gadgets" are used appropriately. |
| "Legislation to limit certain distractions is in place, but it's evident that many of the government's messages are not getting through to motorists," he said. | "Legislation to limit certain distractions is in place, but it's evident that many of the government's messages are not getting through to motorists," he said. |
| "You only have to consider the number of motorists that continue to text and drive to see that greater awareness of how to use in car-technology responsibly is needed." | "You only have to consider the number of motorists that continue to text and drive to see that greater awareness of how to use in car-technology responsibly is needed." |
| The RAC is calling for the focus of safety campaigns to be widened to include all potential in-car distractions, such as adjusting the radio or heating and air-conditioning controls as well as the dangers of using mobile phones. | The RAC is calling for the focus of safety campaigns to be widened to include all potential in-car distractions, such as adjusting the radio or heating and air-conditioning controls as well as the dangers of using mobile phones. |
| The survey in April saw more than 1,000 British motorists questioned who have a current driving licence and drive at least once a month. | The survey in April saw more than 1,000 British motorists questioned who have a current driving licence and drive at least once a month. |
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