Male drivers are more prone to distraction than female drivers, according to a new survey. More than one in 10 of men surveyed admitted that looking at advertising posters nearly caused an accident.
The survey, for Guardian Direct insurance company, shows males in Dublin and the rest of Leinster the most prone to distraction. Smoking in cars is a common cause, as are attempts to put on or remove clothes while driving.
Women's concentration is affected by checking on young children and babies (most pronounced in Munster) and putting on makeup (mainly in Leinster).
The survey finds both men and women admitted to being distracted by conversation with passengers (90 per cent). Eighty-seven per cent of drivers said they lost their concentration when changing radio stations. Of the 30 per cent of drivers distracted by advertising posters, 13 per cent admitted that it nearly caused an accident.
Of the 37 per cent who admitted to being distracted by an attractive male or female outside the car, 11 per cent said an accident nearly occurred. Only 11 per cent of those surveyed said they used a mobile phone when driving, but 9 per cent said this had nearly caused an accident. Mr Dermot Devlin, marketing manager of Guardian Direct insurance, said yesterday: "We were quite surprised by the results of this survey, that drivers are being so distracted".
Another source of distraction discovered by the survey was the presence of a dog in the car.