Nearly 80 per cent of people admit to driving while distracted

Eva Osborne

Almost 80 per cent of people admit to engaging in distracting behaviour while driving.

31 per cent use map apps, 30 per cent eat and drink, and 15 per cent adjust dashboard screens while behind the wheel, according to new research by Aviva Insurance.

10 per cent admit to using phones at red lights, while seven percent use social media or reply to messages.

In 2025, nearly 24,500 mobile phone offences were recorded, an 11.5 per cent increase on the previous year, garda statistics show.

In the same year, Road Safety Authority (RSA) figures show that road deaths reached their highest level in over a decade.

Product lead at Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC, Julie Frazer, said: ‘This research shows how easily everyday habits can become safety risks.

"Using map apps, adjusting touchscreens or checking messages at traffic lights has become normal for many people, but even a quick look at a screen can take your eye off the road long enough to miss a hazard or react too slowly.

"With gardaí reporting almost 24,500 mobile phone offences last year, it highlights that distraction remains an important road safety issue. The positive news is that drivers recognise this and are open to technology that helps them stay focused."