Talk-Based Radio Is Double The Distraction For Drivers

    CARDIFF, WALES, September 20, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Nearly 80 per cent of drivers surveyed in the poll by car insurance company Zurich Connect said that the radio was a distraction while they were driving.

Drivers said speech-based radio like the Today Programme on Radio 4 and phone-in debates are twice as distracting as music-based shows.

Mike Quinton from Zurich Connect, said: "Watch out, or a Humphrys harangue could end in a prang.

"Listening to Radio 4 presenters giving politicians a hard time or to your favourite shock jock's phone-in could mean you are more than twice as likely to take your eye off the road ahead.

"Likewise, beware of the noisy breakfast or drive-time shows that assault you with a non-stop barrage of gags and banter, like Moyles, Theakston or O'Connell.

"The announcement that Chris Evans is taking over from Terry Wogan means the Radio 2 breakfast show distraction rating is likely to go up a few notches. Sir Terry's blend of middle of the road music and quiet musings contrasts with the Evans maximum-noise formula.

"We want drivers to get to their destination as safely as possible, so the best rush-hour or school run choice, according to Zurich Connect's research, is a nice relaxed music show with as little chat as possible - like Magic, Radio 2 or even Classic FM."

In the poll of more than 2,000 people, 21 per cent of drivers said that the radio doesn't distract them at all in the car, 23 per cent said they were distracted by music-based programmes and 56 per cent said they were distracted by chat, debate, sport and news programmes.

Notes to Editors
* Research carried by YouGov out for Zurich Connect on 7th September 2009. Sample of 2226 UK drivers.

Zurich Connect

Zurich Connect offers a range of quality, competitively priced home and motor insurance products. For more information about Zurich Connect or to get a quote please visit www.zurich-connect.co.uk or call 0800 015 9283.

Zurich Connect is the European direct insurance brand from Zurich Financial Services. It currently operates in Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the UK and provides home insurance, motor, and in some countries, personal liability insurance direct to consumers via the internet or over the phone.

Zurich Connect is part of Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) is an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It employs approximately 60,000 people serving customers in more than 170 countries.

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