- 31 per cent of parents in Australia and New Zealand have had an accident or a near miss or know someone who has due to distracted driving
- 43 per cent of drivers try to not use their phones while driving, but end up doing so anyway
- More than 50 per cent of drivers have no problem with using their phone while a child is in the car
Do As I Say Not As I Do
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, 7 July 2017 – Parents often worry about screen addiction for their children, yet the data shows that adults find it hard to disconnect too. According to a recent survey conducted by Ford Motor Company of drivers in Australia and New Zealand, parents are the most distracted group of drivers on the road.
As many as 31 per cent of parents reported experiencing a distracted driving incident compared to 17 per cent of people without children. Fathers were most likely to use their mobile phones while driving to make or receive a call or text without a hands-free connectivity system (26 per cent), eat or drink something (79 per cent) or be distracted by another passenger (57 per cent).
The survey was conducted to provide data to help further understand distracted driving behavior and attitudes.
“Ford is committed to helping raise awareness of road safety and educating drivers on safe driving practices,” said Cynthia Williams, director, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, Ford Asia Pacific. “Phones are a great distraction normally, but behind the wheel they can be life threatening.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1.25 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes and between 20 and 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries. They found that drivers using mobile phones are approximately four times more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers not using a mobile phone.
Using a phone while driving slows reaction times (notably braking reaction time, but also reaction to traffic signals), makes it difficult to keep in the correct lane, and to keep the correct following distances. Sending a text message takes about 10 seconds, which is the equivalent to 280 meters on a highway when a car is going 100 kilometers per hour.
Mobile phone addiction
Not surprisingly, across all groups of respondents, mobile phones topped the list of in-car distractions, followed by other passengers and eating or drinking. 43 per cent of Australia and New Zealand drivers say they try not to use their phones while driving, but end up doing so anyway.
Of the respondents who use their phone while driving, the most popular reasons were being stuck in traffic or at a stoplight (74 per cent), taking calls from friends or family (44 per cent) and answering work calls or emails (28 per cent). Boredom is also a key reason, with 22 per cent of respondents admitting to using their phones while driving for no reason other than they had “nothing better to do”.
Fast moving traffic and seeing a police officer (both 69 per cent) are the top scenarios when people said they would never use their phone while driving. Worryingly, these outweighed the safety of others, with just 49 per cent saying they wouldn’t use their phone when travelling with a baby or child and only 21 per cent when they were driving with their spouse in the car.
Investing in technology and programs to help reduce driver distraction
Ford has developed advanced technologies that minimize distractions from mobile phones. SYNC 3, the automaker’s innovative in-car connectivity system, allows drivers to use their voice to make a call, hear a text, listen to music and activate apps – all while keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
Ford is also launching a public awareness campaign to educate its Asia Pacific employees, customers and the general public about the dangers of distracted driving and pledge to park their phone and connect with life.
“Today, people want to stay connected to family, friends and colleagues, even while they’re commuting,” said Williams. “That’s where technology can help reduce driver distractions and why Ford promotes responsible driving habits to keep the roads safer for everyone.”
A snapshot of distracted driving in Australia and New Zealand
- Do as I say, not as I do: 31 per cent of parents have had an accident or a near miss or know someone who has due to distracted driving.
- Stationary but not safe: 74 per cent of drivers have used their phone in traffic or at a stoplight, even though this is illegal.
- I have to take this: People are most likely to make or receive a call while driving when it’s from family and friends (44 per cent) or work related (28 per cent).
- Phone addiction: Mobile phone usage topped the list of in-car distractions, followed by other passengers and eating or drinking.
- Distracted Dads: Fathers were most likely to use their mobile phones while driving to make or receive a call or text (26 per cent), eat or drink something (79 per cent) or be distracted by another passenger (57 per cent).
- Ssssh back there: 53 per cent of mothers said they were distracted by another passenger and 69 per cent admitted to eating or drinking behind the wheel.
- Can’t help myself: 43 per cent of Australia and New Zealand drivers try to not use their phones while driving, but end up doing so anyway.
- More training please: 95 per cent of respondents said they have not received any distracted driving training, while 71 per cent said they are in favor of it.
- Snap happy: 16 per cent of millennials have either taken a photo or selfie while driving. The key reason? Boredom.
Editor’s Note
This online survey was conducted by GlobalWebIndex in May 2017 on behalf of Ford Motor Company, and included 500 respondents from Australia and New Zealand.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 201,000 employees and 62 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomoy and mobility. Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products and services, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
