Home > News > special-features

Distracting back-seat drivers cause 1 in 7 accidents and near misses

London, June 22 : A new study has revealed that one in seven motorists in Britain are having a road accident or near miss caused by a distraction from a rear passenger, also called backseat drivers.

Partners are cited as the worst culprits for back seat comments and women are revealed as being most likely to get angry at criticism of their driving.

But the study reveals that it is men who are most likely to take their eyes off the road to chat to passengers.

The survey of more than 1,000 motorists found they are 60 percent more likely to have a serious crash if driving with passengers.

And young motorists are the most distracted with more than half taking their eyes off the road whilst driving to chat to passengers - the highest of any age group on the road.

The 'Driver Distraction' study, commissioned by esure car insurance revealed that 14 per cent of motorists have had an accident or near miss due to being distracted by a back-seat driver.

It found that more than half of motorists have got angry behind the wheel as a result of back-seat drivers, while 40 per cent reported being made anxious.

"We all laughed at the ultimate nightmare passenger Hyacinth Bouquet in classic sitcom 'Keeping up Appearances', but the risk posed to drivers by distracting or interfering passengers should not be underestimated," the Daily Mail quoted Mike Pickard, head of risk and underwriting at esure car insurance, as saying.

"Passengers should respect the driver of their vehicle and appreciate that motorists already face a multitude of distractions when behind the wheel - and should try not to add to these," he added. (ANI -Posted on / )