In-car gadgets are responsible for almost half a million vehicle accidents a year, according to a new report.
A survey of 1,500 drivers by Privilege Insurance showed that almost half of motorists admitted they had been distracted by in-car gadgets such as CD players and sunroofs, sometimes leading to a road accident
The survey found that 45 per cent of drivers had lost concentration after being distracted gadgets, while one in five had veered out of their lane fiddling with an instrument panel.
One in four said they had been distracted while changing a CD or tape, one in 10 while cleaning the windscreen or adjusting the heating and 14 per cent by adjusting music volume.
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One in 20 drivers admitted they were breaking the law by answering a call on their mobile phone without a hands-free kit.
Some of the drivers questioned said manufacturers should limit the number of gadgets in cars.
Ian Parker, managing director of Privilege Insurance, said: “The research findings highlight the extent of the problem of adding more, and increasingly complex, accessories to cars.
“It is clear that many drivers recognise the dangers of being distracted when driving, and many have even been involved in accidents as a result.
“We urge drivers to spend plenty of time with a new car, getting to know and understand the controls, ensuring the settings are ready and the conditions comfortable before embarking on a journey - from planning their route and selecting the choice and volume of music, to setting the right temperature.”
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