Motorists typically have their eyes distracted from the road 10% of the time, research suggests Researchers analysed video footage from cameras installed in 150 cars Distractions include eating, reaching for phone, texting and phoning Motorists have their eyes off the road for a tenth of the time they are driving, equal to six minutes per hour, says a study. Researchers analysed video footage from cameras installed in 150 cars, with sensors fitted to record acceleration, sudden braking, swerving, drifting out of a lane, and other data over a period of 12 to 18 months. The most common distractions included eating, reaching for the phone, texting and phoning. The most common distractions included eating, reaching for the phone, texting and phoning Others were altering temperature or radio controls, drinking, adjusting a mirror, seat belt or window, and looking at something outside other than the road. Teenagers who had recently passed their test were most likely to crash or experience a near-miss as a result of being distracted. But the risk more than doubled even for experienced adult motorists. â€˜Anything that takes a driverâ€™s eyes off the road can be dangerous,â€™ said study co-author Bruce Simons-Morton, from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in Bethesda, Maryland. He added: â€˜Our data supports the current trend in implementing restrictions on texting and cell phone use in vehicles.â€™ The study is published in the New England Journal of Medicine. About one quarter of those studied were novices who had obtained their driving licences no more than three weeks earlier. The remainder had, on average, 20 years of motoring experience and ranged in age from 18 to 72. Participantsâ€™ driving was filmed over a period of 12 to 18 months, with sensors fitted to their cars recorded acceleration, sudden braking, swerving, drifting out of a lane, and other data. But the risk more than doubled even for experienced adult motorists When a crash or near miss occurred, the scientists noted whether the driver was engaged in distracting activity. Instances included drivers talking, dialing, reaching for a mobile phone or other object in the car, altering temperature or radio controls, eating, drinking, looking at something outside other than the road, or adjusting a mirror, seat belt or window. Generally, drivers had their eyes off the road for about 10 per cent of their time behind the wheel, said the researchers whose findings are reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. Distractions substantially increased motoring risks for new inexperienced drivers, the study found. For novice teenage motorists, the risk of a crash or near miss was raised eight times while dialling, seven to eight times when reaching for a phone or other object, almost four times when texting, and three times while eating. Talking on the phone, in itself, did not increase the risk for either adult or teenage drivers. However, reaching for the phone and answering or dialling made motoring much more dangerous. Dr Simons-Morton added: â€˜â€˜As new forms of technology increasingly are available in cars, itâ€™s important that drivers donâ€™t feel compelled to answer every incoming call or text. For young driversâ€™ safety, parents can model this habit when they are at the wheel, and also let their children know that they should wait until the vehicle is stopped before taking a call - even when itâ€™s from mum or dad.â€™