Stressed drivers take more risks

Stressed drivers take more risks
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/9598745/stressed-drivers-take-more-risks/

Three in five young WA drivers take risks behind the wheel when stressed, including ignoring speed limits and breaking road rules.

A survey of 500 drivers by SGIO found one-third of all drivers admitted taking risks while stressed, with men more likely to ignore road rules - 42 per cent compared with 35 per cent of women drivers.

Ninety per cent of those surveyed admitted speeding while stressed and others said they tailgated, did not merge correctly, cut off drivers or frequently switched lanes.

The survey last month also found drivers felt most stressed in the afternoon.

SGIO spokesman Rob Cory said the research revealed that stress clearly caused people to behave differently at the wheel and he urged all drivers to keep their cool.

"Stress can affect your concentration and losing focus for even one second puts you at greater risk of a collision," he said.

"We understand a lot of us lead busy lifestyles, however, a busy schedule shouldn't compromise safe driving.

"We urge all WA drivers to try and avoid getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the traffic and focus on the road."

Mr Cory said motorists should consider carpooling to avoid driving five days a week or use public transport and adjust work hours to avoid peak-hour travel.

The results follow a major survey across Australia, released in April, that found three out of four Perth commuters became stressed and frustrated on their daily drive to and from work, with most blaming rude and aggressive drivers and stop-start traffic.

The inaugural IBM Commuter Pain study found that 28 per cent of those surveyed said the stress caused during the commute to work affected their health.

IBM Australia transport expert John Hawkins said the survey showed flexible working arrangements, including working at home or working outside normal hours, needed more consideration.

IBM global business services partner Matt English told a Committee for Economic Development of Australia lunch, Inventing the Future - the Future of Mobility, yesterday that new technologies had opened the way for more flexible workplaces that could benefit employees and employers.

He said today's workplace could be anywhere and anytime, which had repercussions for business and commuting.