Avoid Distracted Driving: Top Causes & Prevention Tips

It should go without saying that every driver needs to focus their full attention on the road in front of them while they’re behind the wheel. 

And yet, distracted driving is an every-day occurrence and a hugely dangerous problem on Irish roads, one that can lead to serious and even fatal consequences. 

Tip: Learn about the biggest causes of car accidents and how to prevent them.

Let’s look at the different distractions that can affect drivers, and how to overcome them. 

What is Distracted Driving?

You might think ‘distracted driving’ is a catch-all term that simply means ‘distracted while driving’, but there are layers to the issue, and four main types to be aware of - visual, auditory, manual, and cognitive.

• Visual: Looking at anything other than the road
• Auditory: Listening to something unrelated to driving
• Manual: Physically interacting with something other than the steering wheel
• Cognitive: Thinking about something other than driving

The Dangers of Distracted Driving

It ought to be second nature to all of us - driving while distracted greatly increases danger on the road, for drivers, passengers, other road users, and pedestrians alike. 

Failure to give the road your full attention is incredibly irresponsible and needlessly invites the potential for tragedy. 

The first day of 2025 brought the alarming confirmation of 179 deaths on Irish roads for the year 2024. Research by the RSA has revealed “high levels of non-compliance” on the roads, including speeding, driving while intoxicated, and the use of mobile phones. 

Experts are reportedly “baffled” by the number of fatalities on Ireland’s roads, and while a variety of factors can be in play for any individual incident, the devastating impact of driving while distracted by something else cannot be downplayed. 

According to international research cited by the RSA, distracted driving may be a deciding factor in as many of 20% - 30% of all collisions in Ireland, which can account for over 1,400 fatal and serious injury incidents on an annual basis. 

Common Distractions While Driving and How to Avoid Them

With the stark details above in mind, let’s set about combating those distractions. 

We’ll start by identifying the most frequent ones that road users engage with. 

1. Passengers

If you’re not driving alone, it’s human nature to strike up a conversation with your passenger(s), but this can greatly diminish your focus on the road. 

Research from the United States National Library of Medicine found that the most frequently observed distractions came about via this method, with over half of the 3,265 drivers observed directly interacting with another passenger. 

While you’re not expected to fall completely silent in such a scenario, the road in front of you has to be your chief concern. Keep the chatting to a minimum. This also applies to your pets! 

2. Mobile Phones

In October of 2024, the Road Safety Authority of Ireland (RSA) called for distracted driving to be “stigmatised, not normalised” in line with a new study on driver mobile phone usage in Ireland. 

According to the report, 9% of drivers observed in a survey of 1,000 on Irish roads in 2023 were found to use a mobile device while driving - up from 6% on the previous year’s data. 

Furthermore, the report found that 70% of those surveyed admitted to using their phones while behind the wheel of a vehicle. Nearly a third said they read messages or emails, while a quarter of surveyed drivers said they engage with social media. 27% admitted to constructing and sending messages while driving. 

Phone usage has become reflexive for so many of us, but the dangers of habitually using the device while driving are clear for all to understand. As a spokesperson for the RSA said at the time of the report: “The next time you’re driving and you hear your phone beep, ask yourself, would it kill you to put it away?”

3. Environment

Good news - distractions aren’t entirely the driver’s fault. Bad news - you still have a challenge to overcome. 

You see, the world around you and the very structures you interact with while driving can provide their own unique interference. Take roundabouts, for example. 

In 2021, the University of Galway’s Connaught Automotive Research (CAR) Group carried out a study examining driver gaze behaviour, seeking to illustrate a driver’s situational awareness and essentially determine where our eyes are drawn to. The data suggested that a driver’s lack of forward perception when moving onto a roundabout can present danger to other road users. 

4. Fatigue

You’re only human, and tiredness takes its toll, lowering reaction times and even causing you to shut down altogether in extreme cases. Take great care to ensure your energy levels are up to scratch when setting off on a car journey, no matter the distance. 

5. Daydreaming

There doesn’t always need to be any external tangible trigger. 

A simple lack of concentration due to thinking about other matters, be they minor or major, can pose great danger for you and those around you. 

Keep your eyes on the road and your brain on the task at hand - daydream about that holiday when you’re safely back at home. 

Distracted Driving Laws

Beyond the aforementioned injury and fatality-related consequences that can arise from driving while distracted, there are also substantial legal penalties to consider. 

On the subject of mobile phones, it is illegal to hold a mobile phone in your hand or support it with another part of your body - between your head and shoulder, for instance - while driving. 

You are only permitted to use your phone while driving if you are contacting emergency services. It is also illegal to access information - such as text messages, emails, or using the Internet - via a mobile phone while you are driving. 

If you are caught in breach of these laws by a member of An Garda Síochána, you will receive a fixed charge notice of €60 and three penalty points on your driving licence. Should you choose not to pay the fine and are subsequently convicted in court, you will receive five penalty points and a fine of up to €2,000.

The Role of Technology in Preventing Distracted Driving

As we’ve repeatedly underlined, technology can prove to be a major distraction for drivers. 

However, there are also positive benefits of technology in this tricky area which can actually help prevent distracted driving. AIG’s telematics-focused insurance coverage is one such beneficial modern-day method worth considering, especially for younger drivers. 

Driver-assistance tools like heads-up display systems, blind spot detection, front crash prevention, and adaptive cruise control can take the pressure off by giving you a second pair of eyes, while voice-controlled navigation options enable you to access onboard features like GPS and weather notifications without needing to reach for a button. There are even dedicated driving apps that reward good behaviour, if you’re into that kind of thing. 

At the same time, it’s best not to become over-reliant on these methods, nor think of them as a safety net that allows for you to switch off. 

Conclusion

As we’ve hopefully successfully communicated by now, distracted driving is a very dangerous and very real problem, one that can manifest in a handful of different forms, and though there are challenges in play, this issue can be conquered. 

It all comes down to focus. You have a responsibility when you get behind the wheel, and there’s really no excuses when it comes to taking your eyes off the job at hand. 

Make note of the variety of potential distractions, and take individual steps to ensure they’re not going to throw you off, while always keeping safe driving practices in mind. And remember - it’s not just a matter of basic safety; there are serious legal consequences to consider. 

So, stay alert, stay sharp, and should accidents happen, make sure you’re covered. Get a car insurance quote from AIG today.