UK driver’s biggest fears revealed by latest IAM RoadSmart‘s Safety Culture Survey.

Other drivers using mobiles, social media, drink and drugs all key safety risks for UK drivers

The survey found that drivers checking social media is the biggest single perceived threat that road users feel – slightly higher than those who text and email, and closely followed by drink and drug drivers.

Of the more than 2,000 motorists surveyed, 80% believed the problem of social media updating while behind the wheel to be more significant than three years ago. 90% felt driving while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs was a serious safety problem – drugs were seen by the majority of respondents (64%) as an increasing threat to road safety in the past three years.

Talking on mobile phones (89%), speeding on residential streets (87%), drivers ignoring red lights (87%), aggression (75%) and tired drivers (86%) were each seen as other key driving issues. Despite the figures, 45% felt using a hands-free phone while driving was acceptable and 9% for a hand-held one.

Some 16% said they regularly or often drove 10mph more than the limit on the motorway, while 14% said they drove 5mph more than the limit regularly or often on a residential street – despite 50% of drivers feeling it unacceptable to drive 10mph higher than the speed limit on a motorway.

Laws surrounding driving while using distracting devices or being under the influence of substances were favourably supported by all respondents.