A new Road Safety Scotland and Scottish Government campaign is urging drivers in Edinburgh to keep their minds on the road, warning that even a moment’s distraction can lead to devastating consequences.
The campaign also highlights how far a vehicle can travel in just a second or two when concentration slips, with drivers unaware of the danger they pose to themselves and fellow road users.
It reveals that:
- 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.
- At the same speed, 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 – greater than the length of an Olympic swimming pool.
- At 30mph, with three seconds of distraction caused by something outside the vehicle, you will miss around 40 metres – approximately the length of ten cars.
The warning follows research showing 80 per cent1 of road users, including drivers and pedestrians, admitted their mind had wandered while using the road.
A total of 42 per cent2 admitted they had zoned out on a journey and couldn’t quite 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 (16 per cent3) or a pedestrian (5 per cent3).
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop urged all road users to keep their minds on the road: “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 devasting. It’s important to ensure our attention always remains firmly on the road.”
The impact of everyday distractions on drivers and pedestrians was reflected in the research behind the campaign. Of the road users who said they experienced distraction, over a third (38 per cent4) said thinking about other activities, tasks and plans was a regular cause.
After weather, drivers cited not knowing their route well (36 per cent), being tired (32 per cent), being in a hurry (25 per cent), and being worried or stressed (23 per cent) as the things that affect them most while driving.
The campaign is encouraging drivers and pedestrians across Edinburgh to reflect on their own journeys and the everyday distractions that can take their attention away from the road.
The Scotland-wide campaign will run across TV, radio, digital and outdoor channels.
For more information visit roadsafety.scot.
