Safe Speed Forums

Male drivers are twice as likely to crash because they're shaving, eating, or just plain distracted
By Daily Mail Reporter Last updated at 9:12 PM on 18th April 2011

Drivers admitted shaving, applying make-up, reading a book and kissing passengers while at the wheel
Men are worse drivers and twice as likely as women to have an accident because they are distracted while driving, a survey has found.

Only five per cent of women have had a crash because they were not paying proper attention at the wheel. But more than one in ten - 11 per cent - of men admitted being involved in a collision because they weren't concentrating on the road.

Thirty per cent of men and 20 per cent of women said they had had a near miss through such distractions as adjusting the car stereo, eating or having a soft drink.

In addition drivers admitted shaving, applying make-up and even reading a book, according to the survey from Santander car insurance.

Others even said they stopped concentrating on the traffic to kiss a front seat passenger, according to the poll.
Other distractions include talking on hand-held mobile phones and map reading.
Although 96 per cent acknowledged that texting while driving was the most dangerous behaviour, around 20 per cent admitted doing it.
While most drivers expressed anger at seeing other motorists' unsafe behaviour, 75 per cent confessed to having been distracted.

Santander insurance director Colin Greenhill said: 'Clearly, motorists understand their risky behaviours are dangerous but many take their eyes off the road to do something other than driving.
'Concentrating on the road ahead is essential and drivers should adhere to this, regardless of how "important" their other task may be.'

The study comes after it was revealed that men have six times more points than women on their licence on average. The average number of points per woman is 0.095 while men have 0.579.

Despite evidence of male drivers having more crashes, the European Court of Justice recently ruled that it was 'unfair' for men to pay more for their car insurance than women.

From December 2012, women will have to pay the same as the equivalent male driver when renewing their insurance.