Latest news with #RodDennis
Auto Express
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Conversation killer: half of drivers admit small talk is becoming a big distraction
Almost half of drivers admit that holding a conversation behind the wheel has caused them to make a mistake, with internal distractions such as this having contributed towards as many as 940 road casualties in 2023. In a survey conducted by the RAC, 63 per cent of drivers said that internal and external distractions have caused them to make an error whilst driving, with just under half (43 per cent) stating that even chatting to a passenger has led to a mistake. Advertisement - Article continues below It's no surprise, then, that in-car distractions are listed as a contributory factor in five per cent of collisions. They also led to 940 road casualties (six per cent of the total) in 2023, including 81 deaths. With this in mind, you might be shocked to hear that only 18 per cent of drivers see holding a conversation as a potential distraction behind the wheel. While 48 per cent of respondents pointed to mobile phone usage as a potential distraction, this is only cited as an influential element for two per cent of cases and casualties. Nevertheless, all distractions, whether they be talking to a passenger or over the phone, can be incredibly dangerous. The RAC's safety spokesperson, Rod Dennis, was keen to remind drivers that while 'the practice of driving is second nature for many of us, our research suggests things we do without thinking in the car have far more potential to cause us to make errors than we might realise. 'Driving is still a very mentally demanding task,' he said, 'especially because we need to be able to react to what's in front in a split-second, so it's important we do everything we can to stay alert and minimise distractions.' All of this follows Auto Express's recent investigation into the potentially distracting nature of in-car touchscreens. While only around a third (30 per cent) of the RAC's respondents think adjusting a car's controls could be an issue, this is something that safety experts Euro NCAP believe is a prevalent issue. Beginning next year, NCAP tests will begin to award extra points to manufacturers that provide physical controls for frequently used functions, with touchscreen-focused cockpits likely to suffer lower safety scores. Come and join our WhatsApp channel for the latest car news and reviews...
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
Talking to passengers is main cause of distracted driving mistakes
Talking to passengers and daydreaming are bigger causes of distracted driving mistakes than using a phone, a new survey suggests. The RAC, which commissioned the poll, warned that distractions can have 'catastrophic consequences'. More than three out of five (63%) of the 2,691 UK drivers surveyed said they have made mistakes behind the wheel because they were distracted. Of this group, the most common causes were talking to other passengers (43%) and thinking about topics unrelated to driving (37%). Interacting with modern touchscreen systems to control functions such as heating, radio and navigation aids also leads to drivers making mistakes, with 26% saying this has happened to them. Mistakes included missing a junction, exceeding the speed limit, ending up in the wrong lane and nearly crashing into another road user. When all respondents to the survey were asked what they consider distracting, the most common responses were talking on a phone (46%) and applying make-up or shaving (42%). But among those who admitted to making distracted mistakes, just 8% and 2% of drivers respectively said those were the causes. Separate Department for Transport (DfT) figures show 940 people were killed or seriously injured in crashes on Britain's roads in 2023 where a driver was found to be distracted by something within their vehicle. RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis said: 'Talking to passengers or daydreaming are so common that they aren't perceived by drivers to be big distractions, but our research has revealed they are in fact responsible for most of the errors drivers admit to. 'Although your eyes are on the road, it's easy for your mind to wander behind the wheel, especially on long journeys. 'Distractions can have catastrophic consequences for both drivers themselves and other road users, especially in extreme instances like failing to stop at a junction or at a red light or crossing. ' Driving is still a very mentally demanding task, especially as we need to be able to react to what's in front in a split-second, so it's important we do everything we can to stay alert and minimise distractions.'
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
Main cause of distracted driving mistakes revealed – and it's not your phone
Catting with passengers and daydreaming are more likely to cause distracted driving errors than mobile phone use, a survey has found. The RAC, which conducted the poll, cautioned that distractions can lead to "catastrophic consequences." The survey of 2,691 UK drivers found that over three in five (63 per cent) admitted to making errors while driving due to distractions. Among this group, the most frequent causes were conversations with passengers (43 per cent) and thinking about unrelated topics (37 per cent). Additionally, interacting with modern touchscreen systems for functions like heating, radio, and navigation contributed to driver errors, with 26 per cent reporting such incidents. Mistakes included missing a junction, exceeding the speed limit, ending up in the wrong lane and nearly crashing into another road user. When all respondents to the survey were asked what they consider distracting, the most common responses were talking on a phone (46 per cent) and applying make-up or shaving (42 per cent). But among those who admitted to making distracted mistakes, just 8 per cent and 2 per cent of drivers respectively said those were the causes. Separate Department for Transport (DfT) figures show 940 people were killed or seriously injured in crashes on Britain's roads in 2023 where a driver was found to be distracted by something within their vehicle. RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis said: 'Talking to passengers or daydreaming are so common that they aren't perceived by drivers to be big distractions, but our research has revealed they are in fact responsible for most of the errors drivers admit to. 'Although your eyes are on the road, it's easy for your mind to wander behind the wheel, especially on long journeys. 'Distractions can have catastrophic consequences for both drivers themselves and other road users, especially in extreme instances like failing to stop at a junction or at a red light or crossing. 'Driving is still a very mentally demanding task, especially as we need to be able to react to what's in front in a split-second, so it's important we do everything we can to stay alert and minimise distractions.'
The Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
‘Alarming' rise in number of motorcyclist deaths on British roads
New figures from the Department for Transport (DfT) revealed motorcyclist deaths in Britain increased by nine per cent last year. RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said the 'alarming' figures were 'more evidence of the need for a renewed focus on saving lives on the roads, so we look forward to the publication of the Government's road safety strategy'. Some 343 riders lost their lives in crashes in 2024, up from 315 during the previous 12 months, and making up 21 per cent of the total 1,633 people killed on Britain's roads last year. That was a one per cent rise from 1,624 in 2023, but an eight per cent fall from 1,775 in 2014. The DfT said the pattern for motorcyclist fatalities has remained relatively stable over the last 10 years. AA president Edmund King said: 'Every death on our roads is a tragedy, and sadly, we are still losing at least four people a day. 'If this level of loss were experienced on any other form of transport, there would be a national inquiry and public outcry. 'Yet, for some reason, we seem to accept this as the risk of moving around our communities. This should not be the case.' Mr King called for the Government's upcoming road safety strategy to include 'bold action' such as harsher penalties for not wearing a seatbelt or drug-driving. He also stressed the need to 'safeguard newly qualified drivers' to ensure they feel confident on the road before 'exposing them to additional risks' such as carrying passengers of a similar age. Nicholas Lyes, director of policy and standards at road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, said: 'These figures demonstrate a troubling lack of progress in bringing down fatal and serious injuries on our road network. 'Moreover, 2024 saw a significant increase in the number of motorcyclists that were killed, further highlighting that more needs to be done to protect some of the most vulnerable road users.' DfT spokesperson said: 'Every death on our roads is a tragedy and the safety of our roads is an absolute priority for this Government. 'We've been clear that more needs to be done in this space, which is why we are committed to delivering a new road safety strategy – the first in over a decade – and will set out next steps on this in due course.' The DfT figures for 2024 are provisional.
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
New parking rules come into force for millions of drivers in England
The new parking rules have come into force, which will allow drivers to pay for their parking on their preferred app, rather than having to download multiple different payment apps All drivers in England can look forward to a major change that's set to make parking a whole lot easier. The Labour Party government has introduced the new National Parking Platform, which promises to end the scourge of unjust parking fines and offers a single app solution for payment. Labour announced plans to implement the National Parking Platform to allow motorists to use their chosen app for parking payments, rather than juggling several apps. Anthony Eskinazi, founder and president of JustPark, is now a director of the National Parking Platform. He said: "By allowing drivers to choose their preferred parking app, it eliminates unnecessary complexity and makes parking simpler and more convenient. It is ultimately about giving drivers genuine choice over their preferred app. "JustPark is proud to have contributed to shaping the platform's vision, and as a company, we will continue to support its roll-out across the country, led by the British Parking Association." Rod Dennis from the RAC welcomed the initiative, saying: "Paying to park a car should be one of the simplest things any driver does, but things have got much more complicated in recent years - a point demonstrated by the fact there are so many different mobile parking apps. "If the arrival of a National Parking Platform removes that hassle, it's definitely a welcome move. But the key will be ensuring as many car park operators as possible sign up to the system." Labour Party Minister of the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, said: "This government is on the side of drivers and dedicated to giving everyone simpler, more flexible parking. Delighted at the lack of taxpayer burden, she added: "I'm delighted that this fantastic project is being taken on by the parking sector with no extra cost to taxpayers." Expanding on infrastructure improvements, Birmingham Live reports that Ms Greenwood said: "This is public infrastructure done right: built by government, shaped with councils and now delivered by the sector that knows it best, at a time where we're investing a record £1.6 billion through our Plan for Change, to mend our pothole-ridden roads that damage cars and £4.8 billion to deliver new road infrastructure that will better connect people." BPA Chief Executive Andrew Pester also weighed in with enthusiasm for the initiative, saying: "Today's announcement marks the result of 6 years of dedicated work by our parking sector to make paying for parking easier." In light of their support for the National Parking Platform, he expressed his excitement: "We've strongly supported the National Parking Platform from the start, so we're thrilled with this outcome and excited to collaborate with the Department for Transport and the new NPP company to create a better parking experience for all drivers."
