Distracted drivers get lost

According to a recent study, Australian drivers don’t cope well on unfamiliar turf.

In a report commissioned by Continental Tyres, it was found that the major contributor to driver distraction on Australian roads comes from trying to find a destination in unfamiliar territory.

The study, which was commissioned to delve into the habits of Australian motorists, revealed that almost 60 per cent of the survey’s participants found driving on an unfamiliar route a main contributor to loss of focus.

Paying attention to the task of driving, being aware of traffic, surroundings and road conditions all became secondary to finding the desired destination.

"There is no doubt that our roads are busier than ever - the Australian car park has grown to over 16.7 million motor vehicles registered this year and with more and more people spending their days 'on the road' as part of their jobs, it is practically peak hour all day long," said the general manager of Continental Tyres of Australia, Steve Brown.

"Everyday tasks we are all faced with, such as attending meetings, taking the kids to appointments and constant running around has many people travelling on unfamiliar roads on a daily basis, which, in some instances, can be quite nerve-racking," he continued.

Satellite navigation (GPS), which can be both a distraction and an assistance when locating a destination, is the most popular location-finding method. It is employed by 41.8 per cent of drivers, with usage weighted more towards males than females.

Of the drivers using GPS, 56.9 per cent were males and 43.1 per cent were females. The survey found that female drivers were more likely to pre-plan their drive via street directories or the internet.

Street directories came second as the preferred choice of 31.2 per cent of drivers, followed by websites such as Google or whereis at 22 per cent. More than 60 per cent of females, compared with 38 per cent of males involved in the study, consulted the internet as a means of researching their travel in advance.

"Consulting any form of navigation assistance prior to setting off is always a good idea, as it allows drivers to gain an understanding of the types of road and traffic conditions they might encounter on their journey," said Mr Brown.

Other causes of distraction identified in the survey included such things as the unpredictable actions of other drivers (50 per cent of the study participants), weather conditions, children and passengers in the car, pedestrians, the radio, mobile phones, having the mind on other tasks, cyclists, driver fatigue and ever-changing speed zones.

It’s a challenging world out there.