Young drivers in the UK are far more likely to lose concentration by ogling attractive pedestrians while behind the wheel than their European counterparts according to the latest research by Ford.
Men are three times as likely to be distracted by passers-by than women, a factor which contributes to the increased likelihood of drivers aged 18-24 being involved in serious and fatal accidents compared to the average motorist.
Ford’s surveyed over 6,500 young drivers across Europe and discovered 43 per cent have texted, 36 per cent have taken phone calls, 11 per cent have watched mobile videos while driving, and 13 per cent have driven after drinking. The research also revealed that 26 per cent have had an accident, 20 per cent have been in a car stopped by police, and the in the summer - when road deaths peak - 68 per cent are more relaxed about their driving.
Despite that age group accounting for just eight percent of the population it accounts for fifteen per cent of road accident fatalities, a figure which rises to 21 per cent during the summer months.
Ford provides free training for young drivers through its Driving Skills for Life programme, which will have trained over 20,000 drivers across Europe by the end of this year in an effort to curb risky driving habits.
“Summer is a great time to enjoy the freedom of driving, which is as much a part of being young today as it was for previous generations. But too many young adults are dying in car crashes caused by a combination of inexperience and poor decision making,” said Jim Graham, Ford Driving Skills for Life manager.
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