More than 80% of road users, including drivers and pedestrians, have admitted their mind has wandered while using the road, according to a new survey released as part of Road Safety Scotland’s new distraction campaign.
Launched by Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop and Director of Road Safety Scotland Michael McDonnell, the campaign urges all road users – but particularly drivers, who pose the greatest risk to others – to keep their mind on the road at all times.
The survey findings reveal the potential consequences of distraction, with 16% of distracted drivers reporting a collision with another vehicle and 5% reporting a collision with a pedestrian.
More than two-in-five (42%) drivers also admitted they’d had a journey where they had zoned out and couldn’t quite remember how they got to their destination.
Meanwhile, 80% of drivers surveyed admitted to some level of distraction while driving – half said their mind occasionally wandered, 29% said it happened sometimes, and 3% admitted it always did.
Similarly, the majority of pedestrians reported being affected by distractions on the road, with 79% citing various factors that influence their focus.
Of the road users who said they experienced distraction, more than a third (38%) said thinking about other activities, tasks and plans was a regular cause.
After weather, drivers cited not knowing their route well (36%), being tired (32%), being in a hurry (25%), and being worried or stressed (23%) as the things that affect them most while driving.
For pedestrians, things happening around the road (25%), their own thoughts including stress or worry (25%), being in a hurry (25%), and talking to the people they’re walking with (20%) were among the most frequently cited distractions.
Mobile phones were also a major distraction, with 22% of pedestrians and 10% of drivers saying their phones affected their focus. Of those, half agreed their phone was the biggest distraction.
Fiona Hyslop, cabinet secretary for transport, said: “This survey highlights just how easy it is for both drivers and pedestrians to become distracted – whether by our thoughts, technology, or the world around us. Even a brief lapse in attention can have serious, sometimes devastating, consequences.
“It’s hugely important for all road users, and especially drivers who pose the greatest risk, to take responsibility for their own safety and look out for others by staying focused on the road at all times.”
Dr Shaun Helman, traffic psychologist and chief scientist at TRL, said: “Safety is a shared responsibility, and on busy roads, collisions are inevitable if people are not paying attention.
“A split-second decision can mean the difference between life and death. By keeping our minds on the road, we can help everyone get home safely.”
The Scotland-wide campaign will run across TV, cinema, radio, digital and outdoor channels, and the television advert can be viewed here.
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