Survey Finds Talking, Daydreaming Cause Most UK Distracted Driving Mistakes

A survey of 2,691 UK drivers commissioned by the RAC found that talking to passengers and daydreaming are the leading causes of distracted driving mistakes, outweighing the impact of mobile phone use. While 63% of drivers admitted to making errors due to distractions, 43% cited conversations with passengers and 37% cited unrelated thoughts as primary triggers, compared to only 8% who blamed phone use. Interacting with modern touchscreen systems also contributed to 26% of driver errors, including missing junctions, speeding, and near crashes. Despite drivers commonly perceiving phone use and activities like applying makeup as the biggest distractions, these were less frequently admitted as actual causes of mistakes. The Department for Transport reported 940 fatalities or serious injuries in 2023 linked to in-vehicle distractions. RAC spokesman Rod Dennis emphasized that common distractions like chatting or daydreaming are underestimated but can have catastrophic consequences, especially when they cause failures to stop at junctions or red lights.