Drivers urged to keep mind on the road

A NEW campaign is urging drivers in Dumfries and Galloway to keep their minds on the road, warning that even a moment’s distraction can lead to devastating consequences.

It also highlights how far a vehicle can travel in just a second or two when concentration slips:

At 60mph, in one second of inattention – such as reaching for a coffee – you will travel around 27 metres, roughly the length of a tennis court. With a two-second glance at a phone you will lose around 54 metres, equivalent to the length of four double-decker buses.

At 30mph, looking away for four seconds to update a sat nav also covers around 54 metres.

The warning follows research showing 80 per cent of road users, including drivers and pedestrians, admitted their mind had wandered while using the road.

A total of 42 per cent recalled they had zoned out on a journey and couldn’t remember how they got to their destination.

The consequences of lack of proper attention can be devastating, with over one in five distracted drivers reporting a collision with another vehicle or a pedestrian.

Launching the Road Safety Scotland and Scottish Government initiative, Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “All road users, but especially drivers, have a responsibility to stay focused on the road and make sure they are aware of other road users at all times.

“This research shows how easy it is for both drivers and pedestrians to become distracted, and the consequences of these distractions have the potential to be devastating. It’s important to ensure our attention always remains firmly on the road.”

Other distractions mentioned in the survey included thinking about other activities, tasks and plans; weather; not knowing the route well, being tired, being in a hurry, and being worried or stressed.

For more information visit roadsafety.scot.