Shocking extent of distracted driving mistakes revealed in survey
A survey by the RAC found that conversations with passengers (43 per cent) and daydreaming (37 per cent) are more likely to cause distracted driving mistakes than mobile phone use.
The survey of 2,691 UK drivers revealed that 63 per cent admitted to making errors while driving due to distractions.
Twenty-six per cent of drivers reported mistakes due to interacting with touchscreen systems for heating, radio, and navigation.
Common mistakes included missing junctions, speeding, ending up in the wrong lane, and nearly crashing.
Department for Transport figures show 940 people were killed or seriously injured in crashes in 2023 where driver distraction within the vehicle was a factor.
Main cause of distracted driving mistakes revealed – and it's not your phone
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
32 minutes ago
- The Guardian
All babies in England to get DNA test to assess risk of diseases within 10 years
Every baby in England is to have a DNA screening to avoid fatal diseases and receive personalised healthcare as part of the government's £650m investment in DNA technology, it has been reported. Within a decade, every newborn will undergo whole genome sequencing, which assesses the risk of hundreds of diseases and is expected to form part of the government's 10-year plan for the health service. Wes Streeting, the health secretary, told the Telegraph the advances in genomics would allow people to 'leapfrog' killer illnesses and receive 'personalised' health care. He said: 'The revolution in medical science means that we can transform the NHS over the coming decade, from a service which diagnoses and treats ill health to one that predicts and prevents it. 'Genomics presents us with the opportunity to leapfrog disease, so we're in front of it rather than reacting to it.' Streeting added: 'With the power of this new technology, patients will be able to receive personalised healthcare to prevent ill health before symptoms begin, reducing the pressure on NHS services and helping people live longer, healthier lives.' All new parents are now offered a blood spot test for their babies, normally when the child is five days old, to check whether they have any of nine rare but serious conditions. The newborn's heel is pricked to collect a few drops of blood on a card that is sent away to be tested. Along with a greater focus on prevention, the 10-year plan is expected to include Streeting's other 'shifts' in the NHS, from hospitals towards more community-focused care and from analogue to digital services. Last week the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced that the government would increase NHS funding by £29bn a year in real terms over the next three years. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Our 10-year health plan will be published soon and will set out details for a range of initiatives to advance the NHS and make it fit for the future.' In October, the NHS in England announced it was to screen 100,000 newborn babies for more than 200 genetic conditions in a world-first scheme aimed at bolstering early diagnosis and treatment.
Times
33 minutes ago
- Times
Military precision — the best luxury field watches
Field watches may signify rugged sophistication today, but their first wearers had rather more pressing concerns. Developed for use in the First World War, field watches helped troops and gun batteries synchronise their operations, lessening the risk of friendly fire during attacks. And it was far quicker for a soldier to check his wrist than to dig out a pocket watch — the timepiece of choice for men at that time. Although form is as important as functionality in modern field watches, the essential properties remain the same — they are durable, easy to read and easy to use. This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue Referencing early-20th-century military pocket watches, the Terra Nova is a homage to vintage design. There's the tonneau case, which was first seen in 1906; the numerals, which have a retro look about them and, in a nod to today's improved technology, are actually Super-LumiNova blocks; and the railroad track around the outer edge of the dial that recalls field watches past. £2,850; This is a minimalist take on the field watch brief. There isn't even a date on it. It's classic Tudor in that respect — extraneous detail isn't the brand's style. The only concession to colour is the strap, and this woven version is a brand signature made by a traditional passementerie company that still practises the art of jacquard weaving. Sturdy as well as smart. £2,670; The Paris-based maker Serica has become synonymous with robust timepieces that also cut a dash sartorially. The Field Chronometer has all the details associated with field watches — luminescent hands and hour and minute markers, legibility, white indices — but adds panache by opting for California numbering (half Roman, half Arabic) in a case that will slip under a cuff. £848; Vertex was the only British brand among the 'Dirty Dozen' — the 12 companies tasked in 1943 to make watches for military use according to defence ministry specifications. It is from those details, including a black dial, white Arabic lume-filled numerals and luminescent hour and minute markers, railroad-style minutes and a small seconds, that our idea of how a field watch should look was formed. This model is a worthy successor. £2,500; Purists might question the inclusion of this watch but let's think of it as 'fashion field'. It still has easy-to-read luminescent numerals, a railtrack minute indication and there's the addition of a GMT function. It's named after the 19th-century British explorer Richard Lander and the Nigerian city he visited — although it's debatable whether he would have considered wearing this pink dial in the field. £1,265; This watch is named after the driest non-polar desert in the world, which is a stand-in for Mars in expedition simulations, and has been designed to withstand its conditions. It has an illumination system that guarantees 24/7 readability for up to 25 years, a stainless-steel case and water resistance to 200m. Though why you'd need that last attribute in the desert is anyone's guess. £1,339; The Seiko 5 line, launched in 1963, has become a byword for reliable automatics at affordable prices. It's not all function, however: this trench watch-inspired timepiece does have some flair. The contrast of the blue dial with the golden numerals makes a change from monochrome and the texture on the calfskin strap adds a little luxury, while the cursive on 'Automatic' contributes to the vintage vibe. £280; Hamilton gets extra kudos for having been worn by the US military after it supplied railroad watches to soldiers during the First World War. This latest update to its well-loved Khaki Field Auto features contrast dial finishing, a 24-hour track and anti-reflective coating on the sapphire crystal. It does come with a bracelet, but this luscious brown leather strap feels more on theme. £640;
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Every baby's DNA ‘to be screened' on the NHS in bid to detect and prevent disease
All babies could have their DNA mapped to test for future illnesses under a plan unveiled by the government, it has been reported. Labour is set to pour £650 million into DNA technology in an effort to treat serious illnesses before they become a problem. In comments first reported in the Daily Telegraph, health secretary Wes Streeting said new technology in areas such as genomics would help 'leapfrog' illnesses. The outlet says, within a decade, every baby will undergo whole genome sequencing as part of the drive. The investment in genomics is expected to support the Government's 10-year plan for the NHS, which will see a greater focus on technology and prevention. Mr Streeting said: 'The revolution in medical science means that we can transform the NHS over the coming decade, from a service which diagnoses and treats ill health to one that predicts and prevents it. 'Genomics presents us with the opportunity to leapfrog disease, so we're in front of it rather than reacting to it.' Mr Streeting has previously spoken about his desire to make the NHS more preventative, reducing rates of serious illness and saving money in the process. The plan is also likely to see a greater role for artificial intelligence and other technologies to predict illness and allow treatment or medication to be offered much earlier. He added: 'With the power of this new technology, patients will be able to receive personalised healthcare to prevent ill health before symptoms begin, reducing the pressure on NHS services and helping people live longer, healthier lives.' Along with a greater focus on prevention, the Government's 10-year plan is expected to include Mr Streeting's two other 'shifts' in the NHS. That will see a shift away from hospitals towards more community-focused care, and from analogue to digital services. It follows Chancellor Rachel Reeves' announcement that the Government would increase NHS funding by £29 billion per year in real terms over the next three years as it tries to cut waiting lists in line with its election promises.
