Mobiles, lipstick putting drivers at risk

Mobile phones, music, cosmetics, snacks and drinks are some of the things that distract drivers, putting at risk the lives of eight out of 10 motorists, a new survey says. Many admit that they have been quite distracted by one of these at some point.

Mobile phones, music, cosmetics, snacks and drinks are some of the things that distract drivers, putting at risk the lives of eight out of 10 motorists, a new survey says.

HT Image

An alarming 82 percent of drivers confess to having been badly distracted at some stage, the survey for price comparison website moneysupermarket.com found.

Music is the single biggest cause and 61 percent admitted that they get distracted while changing CDs, music on their iPods or radio stations, Daily Express reported.

Half said snacks and drinks are to blame and 23 percent admitted to making or taking calls on a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

Among the under-35 age group, 36 percent admitted sending texts while driving and two percent said they looked at Facebook even while driving.

Five percent of those surveyed admitted to applying perfume or make-up while driving and 15 percent said they did not wear a seatbelt.

Last year, 16,485 British motorists were convicted for driving without due care and attention.