82 Percent Of European Drivers Don’t Keep Eyes On Road, Says Survey

On May 23, 2022, the Vinci Autoroutes Foundation launched its twelfth Responsible Driving Barometer. The group dedicates itself to accountable driving typically, so in a means, you possibly can say this annual effort is its flagship survey of 1000’s of drivers all through Europe. Now, surveys like this are all self-reported, and everybody has a standpoint—however even with that in thoughts, the outcomes of the 2022 survey are fairly worrying if you happen to’re a rider. 

In 2022, the Vinci Autoroutes Foundation surveyed a complete of 12,400 drivers throughout 11 European nations to be taught extra about altering driving habits. Although 51 % of European drivers acknowledged that driver inattention can contribute to crashes, many nonetheless additionally say they aren’t at all times paying as a lot consideration as they need to, and so they comprehend it. 

What’s essentially the most regarding statistic? 82 % of European drivers responding stated that they generally take their eyes off the street for greater than two seconds when touring at speeds of 130 kilometers per hour or better (or 80.77 mph). Within France, that quantity crept as much as 84 % of drivers with this alarming admission. No matter what kind of street person you’re, that ought to concern you—and significantly if you happen to’re a rider.

Delving additional into the survey, 53 % of European respondents stated their thoughts wanders whereas they’re driving, and that they aren’t at all times paying consideration even when their eyes are technically on the street. That quantity jumps as much as 67 % of French respondents (Vinci is a French firm), so if you happen to’re driving in France, you might need to pay further shut consideration to the drivers round you. 

What about smartphone use? Approximately 75 % of European respondents reported utilizing their smartphones whereas driving, which sounds horrible. However, it’s price noting that the best way the query was requested did additionally embody utilizing telephones for GPS. I don’t find out about you, however I exploit my telephone for GPS very often whereas driving and driving, through audio directions. Technically, although, you possibly can nonetheless take into account it ‘phone use’, even if you happen to’re not actively looking at your telephone. So, till and except the query is phrased extra clearly, it is tough to parse how helpful this statistic is.

Crashes and near-misses stemming from smartphone use could be a greater barometer of driver conduct—and apparently, Vinci’s survey writers thought in order nicely. In 2022, the survey discovered that 12 % of respondents reported both having already had, or almost had, a crash they are saying may very well be blamed on cell phone use.