The survey found that over 1 in 7 drivers have asked the passenger to hold the steering wheel to enable them to do anything from tying a shoelace to sending an e-mail or checking a map, underlining the potential danger of driving distractions.

Gareth Robinson, Managing Director of Carrentals.co.uk, said: “The survey findings surprised us, because they showed just how common it is for people to be doing other things while they are driving. The variety of activities that take place behind the wheel is vast, but our main concern was for road safety. The introduction of the new laws are very welcome, and this survey backs up the decision to toughen up on careless drivers whose actions can cause tragic consequences.”

The survey found that key distractions included changing music on the radio, with a quarter saying they often do this; checking directions on a map or sat nav; eating while driving; and over 50% still answer their mobile phone.

Nearly 90% of respondents said they have used their knees to steer the car to help keep them on the road while their hands are occupied elsewhere, while 22% use their elbows, and a small percentage even admitted to using their chin.

The issue of driving distractions is causing a growing number of accidents, with the research being told of incidents ranging from bumping the car in front to driving into a hedge and even rolling the car. Nearly 1 in 5 respondents said they knew someone who has had an accident because of distractions behind the wheel.

Adding to the danger on the road, nearly 1 in 6 have, or know someone who has, spilt a hot drink on themselves while driving, while 1 in 10 say they have taken part in a sexual act while driving.

Work is also taken on the road with nearly 50% checking e-mails on their Blackberry while driving, a quarter writing or checking documents, and others working on spreadsheets to ensure deadlines are met.

Carrentals.co.uk is the UK’s leading car rental comparison site, comparing prices from companies including Budget, Ebookers, Holiday Autos, Opodo, and EasyCar all on one site. For more information visit www.carrentals.co.uk.

• Over 1 in 7 drivers have asked the passenger to hold the steering wheel for them while they do something else

• Nearly 90% admit to holding the steering wheel with their knees to allow them to juggle hot coffee, e-mails, takeaway food and more

• 25% of respondents know someone who has had an accident because of careless driving

• Nearly 50% check e-mails on their Blackberry while driving, with a quarter writing documents

• 1 in 6 have spilt a hot drink while driving

The local government minister John Healey, who is proposing the increases, said that local councils should charge more for off-street parking, notwithstanding the fact that inflation-busting council tax rises have already hit many areas of the country. His proposal comes on the back of the government’s plans to carry out a series of trials for a national road pricing scheme, which could result in drivers paying £1.30 during peak hours.

Although council tax bills have soared in the past decade, councils raked in £12.6 billion from additional fees in 2007-8, more than double the amount in 1997-98 when Labour came to power. A large chunk of this has come from higher parking charges and from use of leisure centres.

The government’s claim that charging more for parking in town centres could help protect small shops by encouraging people to walk to their local stores has been questioned by small business groups, who claim that the opposite is in fact the case. The national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses said that the practice of local authorities using excessive parking charges as a means of raising council revenues is killing town centres. The shadow local government spokesman, Eric Pickles, also came down hard on the proposal, saying that Labour was “clobbering the public with another Gordon Brown stealth tax” on top of the already high rises in council tax over the past decade.

However council leaders backed Mr Healey’s call for councils to charge more for local services. While council parking fines are determined by the government, town halls can charge what they want for car parks and on-street parking.

As motorists find themselves increasingly hard hit in all directions, including rising fuel costs, an increase in the cost of a tax disc, and increased towing, a rise in parking charges will come as a heavy blow. For those who drive into London on a regular basis, their best option would be to secure a parking contract or seasonal parking spot through private parking companies, as this will afford them both peace of mind and a fixed parking charge for the period of time they require.

The local government minister John Healey, who is proposing the increases, said that local councils should charge more for off-street parking, notwithstanding the fact that inflation-busting council tax rises have already hit many areas of the country. His proposal comes on the back of the government’s plans to carry out a series of trials for a national road pricing scheme, which could result in drivers paying £1.30 during peak hours.

Although council tax bills have soared in the past decade, councils raked in £12.6 billion from additional fees in 2007-8, more than double the amount in 1997-98 when Labour came to power. A large chunk of this has come from higher parking charges and from use of leisure centres.

The government’s claim that charging more for parking in town centres could help protect small shops by encouraging people to walk to their local stores has been questioned by small business groups, who claim that the opposite is in fact the case. The national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses said that the practice of local authorities using excessive parking charges as a means of raising council revenues is killing town centres. The shadow local government spokesman, Eric Pickles, also came down hard on the proposal, saying that Labour was “clobbering the public with another Gordon Brown stealth tax” on top of the already high rises in council tax over the past decade.

However council leaders backed Mr Healey’s call for councils to charge more for local services. While council parking fines are determined by the government, town halls can charge what they want for car parks and on-street parking.

As motorists find themselves increasingly hard hit in all directions, including rising fuel costs, an increase in the cost of a tax disc, and increased towing, a rise in parking charges will come as a heavy blow. For those who drive into London on a regular basis, their best option would be to secure a parking contract or seasonal parking spot through private parking companies, as this will afford them both peace of mind and a fixed parking charge for the period of time they require.

The online Performance Repair Tool Store features the ability to access popular searches as well as the ability to easily locate the exact tool needed for any auto repair task. This new venture from Automotix is being managed by the Wilmar Company, one of the leading distributors of professional and promotional hand tools in North America.

Thanks to this partnership between Automotix and the Wilmar Company, consumers can benefit from these high quality tools and the knowledge that their purchase will be protected for the lifetime of the performance repair tool. It has never been easier to find performance repair tools and this kind of peace of find.

The new online Performance Repair Tool Store at Automotix can be accessed by visiting: http://www.automotix.net/repairtools/

About the Company: Automotix.net is striving to build one of the largest used auto and parts communities on the web and their unique method of connecting buyers and sellers promises to do just that. Their name, which is short for Automotive Exchange, really says it all. From simple used auto body parts on common cars to the rarest wheel rims for the rarest fine automobiles, you’ll find everything you need, all in one place.

Contact:

Frank Shick
Automotix.net
Mission, KS