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Car insurance: 6 in 10 drivers 'zone out' while driving

09 Jul 2009

Written by Dan Winters

Many British drivers are risking a car insurance claim by losing concentration behind the wheel, as research has found that they only focus for two-thirds of the time on their journey.

A survey of 4,000 motorists for Continental Tyres found that six in ten people "zone out" while driving, while 59 per cent admitted that they often forget parts of their journey.

The research also showed that 45 per cent of motorists have crashed or had a close call due to being distracted while driving, which may have forced them to make a car insurance claim.

"These statistics are really worrying. When driving, so much can happen in just a few seconds that you need to be able to react quickly so you can brake safely," said Guy Frobisher, director of safety at Continental Tyres.

Meanwhile, Graeme Trudgill, corporate affairs executive at the British Insurance Brokers' Association, has called for improved driving tests to sharpen young drivers' situational judgement and hazard perception.