top of page
CMT Jan 25.gif

Everyday habits like chatting and daydreaming cited as top causes of driver error, RAC report reveals



New research by the RAC has found that routine behaviours like chatting with passengers or letting the mind wander are causing more road mistakes than more traditionally recognised distractions such as phone use or grooming.


In a survey of UK drivers, 63% admitted to making errors behind the wheel due to being distracted. Among these, 43% said talking to passengers had directly contributed to a mistake, while 37% cited daydreaming. Common outcomes included missing junctions, entering the wrong lane, and near misses involving other vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists.

The results highlight a sharp contrast between what drivers believe is distracting and what actually leads to errors. While nearly half (46%) of drivers viewed phone use as the most disruptive activity, only 8% said it had caused them to make a mistake. In contrast, everyday actions such as conversing with a passenger were seen as distracting by only 18%, despite being a leading cause of mishaps.


External distractions, such as looking at something outside the car, also featured strongly, with 33% of drivers blaming it for a mistake. However, less than a quarter saw it as a likely issue. Touchscreen systems were another source of driver error, with 26% reporting mistakes linked to their use.

Traditional car controls were linked to errors by 21% of respondents, though only 15% considered them potentially distracting. Younger drivers showed higher levels of risk, with 23% of those under 25 saying using a phone had led to an error, and 55% admitting to making or receiving handheld calls while driving.


Disparities were also noted in other activities. While 42% thought grooming while driving was dangerous, only 2% said it had ever led to an error. Similarly, 6% had made a mistake after dropping something, compared to the 35% who thought it posed a significant risk.

Government data supports the concern, with 940 people killed or seriously injured in 2023 due to distractions from inside the vehicle. By comparison, 280 casualties were linked to external distractions.


RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said that drivers often underestimate the risk posed by everyday behaviours. Dennis said: “Talking to passengers or daydreaming are so common that they aren’t perceived by drivers to be big distractions, but our research has revealed they are in fact responsible for most of the errors drivers admit to.”

He added that while some distractions such as grooming are obviously risky, the frequency of normal in-car interactions makes them more likely to result in mistakes. Dennis urged drivers to remain mentally focused, especially on long journeys where attention can drift.


Driving remains a cognitively demanding activity, and the findings suggest the need for greater awareness of how even routine actions can lead to serious consequences on the road.


Subscribe to our newsletter. Receive all the latest news

Thanks for subscribing!

Already a Premium Subscriber? Log-in to access ALL Premium content here using your TaxiPoint Premium subscribed email address:

TaxiPoint_WebBanner_700x200.jpg
RENT WITH (720 x 200 px) (1).gif
Taxipoint - Web Banner - 12.24.png
IMG_2814.jpeg
Save £££ £3.50 per hour - Compressed (1).gif
1comp.gif
Taxipoint Ads -Fleet Web Banner -April 2025.jpg

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers.

All written and image rights are reserved by authors displayed. Creative Common image licenses displayed where applicable.

Reproduction in whole or in part without prior permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

All written content Copyright of TaxiPoint 2025.

bottom of page