Compensation news
18/01/2011

Bored drivers take risks and have road traffic accidents

Driver boredom could be behind many road traffic accidents, according to research which shows many of the efforts by highway engineers to make travelling safer lead to unnecessary risks being taken by motorists.

The report, Transportation Planning and Technology, by Newcastle University researchers, says that putting obstacles on roads and increasing complications could lead to a reduction in car and other vehicle crashes because drivers would be paying greater attention.

Up to a third of the 1,593 drivers questioned were categorised as easily bored, nervous and in danger of having a crash. This group comprised more younger drivers and women than the other categories.

The largest group in the survey (35%) were described as enthusiastic motorists, while one in five were slow and disliked driving. The smallest percentage (21%) was made up of those who were slow but safe.

President of the Automobile Association (AA) and Visiting Professor of Transport at Newcastle University Edmund King said, "As cars come fitted with more gadgets to make driving easier and planners remove more of the distractions it comes as no surprise to me that some people are finding that driving has become a bore."

He added that drivers needed to stay alert at all times to avoid the chance of becoming involved in a road traffic accident and subsequent compensation or insurance claim.