A recent study by insurance firm MoreTh>N has discovered that over a third of drivers, 34%, have had a prang or near miss in the UK as a result of taking their eyes off the road to admire a view.  And an admiring 14% have slammed on the brakes to get a longer look – typically reducing their speed by 27 mph.   Accidents resulting from these distractions cause an average £413.56 of damage each time.

And top of the list is the well-known tourist spot of Stonehenge where distracted motorists have more accidents passing here than any other British landmark.   A quarter of motorists, 26%, have been distracted by the pre-historic monument of Stonehenge near Amesbury, Wiltshire.

The Angel of the North, in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, is the second most dangerous landmark and the Blackpool Tower, in Lancashire, third.  A captivated 18% and 12% of motorists find their eyes drifting towards these sites as they pass.  Just over one in ten of these drivers, 11%, have had or nearly had an accident at these two beauty spots.

The top ten also includes the Scottish Highlands, the Houses of Parliament, Windsor Castle, Tower Bridge, and Clifton Suspension Bridge.  Cheddar Gorge and Severn Bridge complete the list.

So, in the words of Paul Evans from 1959, “Keep your mind on your drivin’, keep your hands on the wheel, keep your snoopy eyes on the road ahead…”

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