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SALT LAKE CITY -- Texting while driving has proven such a hazard, it's prompted new laws and awareness campaigns. But new research from the perspective of drivers suggests everyday distractions are perceived even more dangerous.
What men believe is the most dangerous distraction for drivers
Online car lease transfer company, LeaseTrader.com, polled more than 3,000 drivers. Most men questioned in a nationwide survey agree, road rage and road revenge are their No. 1 distraction with 18.3 percent of the votes. Men say, in addition to road rage, their top distractions are eating (14.7 percent) and checking out other drivers came in third (10.9 percent).
Sgt. Jeff Nigbur, with the Utah Department of Public Safety, says, "I've seen people eating, reading actually books and newspapers on their steering wheels."
Top distractions for drivers according to women
Women are distracted by different things, according to the poll. The No. 1 distraction by a long shot is: kids in the car. That got 26.3 percent of the votes.
"I've seen them doing makeup, doing hair in their rearview mirror," Nigbur says.
That's No. 2 with 16.6 percent, along with messing with the radio at 10.4 percent.
Public safety leaders say whatever it is that takes our minds off the road, it only takes a moment to cause a serious crash.
Nigbur says, "We need to take all those distractions that I've just mentioned and get rid of them, focus on driving."
Driving is sometimes the least of our concerns during the daily commute, changing that could save a lot of heartache later one.
E-mail: dwimmer@ksl.com
