Drivers’ attitudes to distraction and other motorists’ behaviour: a focus group and observational study

This study was designed to investigate two hypotheses about typical driving behaviours: (1) the majority of motorists engage in behaviours that could be considered unsafe, on a daily basis. These behaviours include unsafe in-vehicle activities (e.g. driving with one hand on the steering wheel, eating/drinking/smoking, using a mobile phone, interacting with systems) and unsafe driving techniques (e.g. speeding, failure to check mirrors / blind-spots, tailgating); and (2) these unsafe behaviours may be, at least partly, due to social pressure; for example, strict compliance to the Highway Code is avoided in the belief that this may provoke frustration on behalf of other road users.