British scenery distracts motorists

As Brits hit the roads for the long bank holiday weekend, drivers are being advised to enjoy the sights along the way without taking risks when behind the wheel.

Research by safe driver champions Privilege Insurance reveals that many drivers admit to putting themselves and their passengers at risk by losing concentration at the wheel in order to take in the nation’s famous sights.

One in four drivers finds stunning countryside like the Lake District a distraction from driving. Landmarks such as the Angel of the North distract a sixth of drivers and dramatic buildings cause more than one in ten motorists to lose concentration on the road.

And men are the worst culprits. More known for being distracted by attractive pedestrians, a third of men (30 per cent) have their attention diverted by beautiful scenery, compared with less than a quarter of women. And twice as many men’s eyes as women’s are drawn to dramatic buildings like Durham Cathedral.

Young drivers are the most in awe of their surroundings. A third of those aged 18 to 29 admitted being sidetracked by a lovely landscape and a fifth by famous monuments.

But while checking out the local countryside may seem harmless, approximately 16,000 people are killed or seriously injured on the UK’s rural roads each year. Earlier this month, the Government announced a major overhaul of road speed limits in an attempt to cut casualty rates – especially on rural routes. 74 per cent of drivers believe the current speed limit is too high for some or all country roads.

Ian Parker, Managing Director of Privilege Insurance, said: "Our advice to motorists, when driving on unfamiliar roads, is that it’s even more important than usual to concentrate on your driving – no matter how beautiful or fascinating the surrounding landscape may be. If you do want to enjoy your surroundings, you will usually find designated parking areas close-by, so you can take in the sites and stay safe."