Men twice as likely as women to crash car due to distractions

Men are twice as likely to be distracted by kissing or reading a newspaper while driving a car than women, new research has shown.

A survey by Santander car insurance found one in 10 men (11 per cent) who have had a driving accident, compared to just one in 20 women (five per cent), admitted to crashing their car because they were distracted at the wheel.

The survey of 1,000 motorists reveals three in 10 men and a fifth of women reported near misses as a result of distractions, citing adjusting the car stereo, eating or drinking soft drinks while driving as risky behaviour likely to cause an accident.

Many more confessed to talking on mobile phones, without their hands free kit, and map reading while driving. The more unusual distractions included reading a book, kissing, applying make-up, swotting insects and even shaving while behind the wheel.

"Clearly, motorists understand their risky behaviours are dangerous but as many as 75 per cent own up to taking their eyes off the road to do something other than driving," said Colin Greenhill, Director of Santander Insurance. "It goes without saying that concentrating on the road ahead is essential and that drivers should adhere to this, regardless of how ‘important' their other task may be."

While virtually all the drivers surveyed (96 per cent) acknowledged that texting while driving was the most dangerous behaviour, one in five declared doing it.

Many also expressed their anger at seeing other drivers' unsafe behaviour, yet most owned up to being distracted drivers themselves.

Drivers admitted to taking the following risks:

Adjusting the car stereo 76%
Drinking a soft drink 66%
Eating 64%
Handling CDs 50%
Talking on a mobile phone (not hands-free) 42%
Reading a map 41%