Author: Robin Roberts
So now you know why you need to take extra care in your van on the road. It found a third of drivers sing in the car, while 23%just get lost in their thoughts, and it seems the age of drivers affects what distracts them and to what extent. Singing in the car appears to be a trend amongst the young, declining with age, as 60% of 18 to 24 year-olds are practicing for the X-factor in the car compared to only 13% of over 65s. One in three drivers succumbs to road rage after getting annoyed at the traffic or other drivers. This rage affects just one fifth of older drivers but almost half of young drivers. Van drivers should be praying that others drivers are not praying with their eyes closed, as the research revealed that amongst all drivers 5% confess to praying on the move, whilst divine inspiration is sought by 14% in Northern Ireland. Younger drivers (18-24), although most at risk from being killed or seriously injured, are the least likely to pray behind the wheel. Edmund King, AA president, said of the research: “Bearing in mind the time we spend in sitting in congestion, it is no surprise that drivers get up to other things behind the wheel. It can be a positive thing to be engaged as long as our extracurricular activities, such as learning a language, singing or praying, don’t interfere with driving.” Those who drive as part of their jobs are most likely to get bored behind the wheel and switch off from the task of driving, raising health and safety issues for the company vehicle to address in driving advice and policies which must include adequate rest breaks.
