Photographer: Jacom Stephens/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Humans are wonderfully inventive animals. We have made tremendous scientific and technical advances through the ages and have adapted to many new things - not always for the better.
Just how much we have learned to adapt to cars has been revealed by a survey showing we do a whole lot of other activities while driving, including eating, changing clothes and other tasks.
Just as we have evolved, so has the automobile and the attendant rules and regulations.
Today's passenger vehicles have elaborate electronic systems to help an alert driver avoid a crash. They are equipped with all manner of devices to protect occupants if the driver fails to avoid a crash. We have a spate of laws designed to prevent such crashes and resulting injuries, ranging from speed limits to load limits.
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More recently, we have raft of new laws aimed at keeping the driver involved in the all-important act of driving, laws regarding distracted driving, which has proved to be a major factor in death and injury on our roads.
One of the most common regulations to come into effect in recent year is that prohibiting the use of a cellphone or similar device while operating a motor vehicle. These laws vary from one jurisdiction to another, but commonly require the use of a hands-free device when taking or placing calls.
One of the most prominent purveyors of these hands-free devices commissioned a survey to see what people are doing with the same hands that are supposed to be on the wheel. Granted, the survey was not conducted in this country and can be used as a marketing device but regardless, the results are valid and worthy of consideration and discussion.
Commissioned by Jabra, the survey was conducted by Lindberg International, a Denmark-based international market research firm. It is based on responses from 1,800 consumers between the ages of 18 and 65 with equal numbers from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia and Japan. Respondents were asked how often they performed specific activities while driving and how dangerous they consider those activities to be. The survey was conducted in April, 2010, and the majority (75 per cent) of respondents drive an average of 10 hours or less per week.
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The six-country survey reveals motorists have all but ignored regulations and awareness campaigns designed to reduce distracted driving practices. The term "responsible driving" appears to be a misnomer as people are choosing to use their hands for everything but driving.
The survey shows the most common and harrowing activities include texting, eating, changing clothes, operating GPS systems, yelling at other drivers, "and even performing sexual acts while driving." Despite it being required in most jurisdictions, less than one-third of the respondents reported using a hands-free device.
The survey shows that commuters are using their time at the wheel to save time, applying makeup (13 per cent), putting on or changing clothes (35 per cent) or shaving (5 per cent) while the vehicle is in motion. An amazing 72 per cent of motorists admitted to eating while driving, 28 per cent say they have sent text messages and 12 per cent admitted to having written or read e-mails. As well, 10 per cent say they have read newspaper or magazines while driving and 5 per cent have played video games, while 15 per cent admitted to having performed sexual acts and 29 per cent said they have kissed others while driving.
Looking deeper into the results, younger drivers (18-35) from all countries are more likely to engage in such poor driving practices, yet they do not see them as problematic or dangerous.
The Japanese are the worst offenders with respect to personal grooming and electronic distractions. At the other end of the scale. the British display the highest level of awareness of the dangers of the dangerous practice of distracted driving.
And finally, road rage has become common around the world, judging from these results. Fully 63 per cent of respondents admit to having yelled at other motorists while driving, with the French the biggest offenders.
Halifax-based Richard Russell runs a driving school.
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