Recent data from Ooono, whose Co-Driver provides real-time audio alerts for traffic incidents, speed cameras and hazards, has revealed that countless drivers may be unknowingly putting themselves – and others – at risk during the upcoming UK school break.
With the darker nights closing in, Ooono’s latest Driver Distraction Survey revealed that 6% of UK motorists plan to travel somewhere during the school holiday, with 32% confirming they will be navigating unfamiliar roads.
However, despite the added need for focus and awareness, the survey uncovers a worrying trend: a significant number of drivers are still engaging in distracting behaviors behind the wheel that could lead to substantial financial penalties or even accidents.
More than a third (35%) of UK motorists admitted to checking their phone while driving, with 25% of motorists saying they do so more than twice per journey, and 26% reporting that being distracted by their car’s infotainment system had led, or nearly led, to an accident recently.
Just shy of a third of respondents (30%) admitted that receiving a speeding ticket had affected their finances, with 13% delaying or cancelling a major purchase and 13% missing mortgage payments; furthermore, 15% of drivers said they had received a speeding fine in the past 12 months, with 56% of those paying between £100 (US133) and £250 (US$333) and 18% paying over £1,000 (US$1,333).
“The half-term break should be a time for families to relax, not deal with the financial or emotional fallout of a road accident or fine,” said Sean Morris, Ooono’s UK chief operating officer. “Our research clearly shows that driver distractions, whether from phones, infotainment systems or even weather conditions, are having real consequences. It’s vital that motorists stay focused, especially when navigating unfamiliar routes.”
Desire for safer driving solutions
Drivers want smarter, less distracting tech, according to the report. More than four-fifths (81%) of motorists said a system that warns them of upcoming road hazards in a minimally intrusive way would help them stay more focused. Another 81% agreed that being alerted to speed cameras in a non-disruptive manner would improve their focus.
Morris said, “As more families take to the roads this half-term, simple, smart tools like Co-Driver can be the difference between a safe journey and a costly mistake,” said Morris. “Our goal is to empower drivers with information that keeps them alert and reduces unnecessary distractions.”
In related news, Ooono launches camera and hazard solution in the UK
