The current craze for iPods and other assorted digital music players is causing 17 accidents a day, and various motoring groups have claimed that road users are driving themselves towards ‘iPod oblivion’, throwing emphasis on the importance of drivers obtaining full motor insurance and UK breakdown cover to ensure their safety.

Affecting all aspects of road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers, the influence of modern devices can send users into a zombie-like state, the AA has said.

The breakdown service also revealed that accidents related to modern technology have increased by 5% over the last year.  These so called ‘pedestrians’ have been observed by breakdown patrols participating in such alarming behavior as checking their e-mails whilst crossing busy roads. 

However, the lack of awareness isn’t just applicable to pedestrians, as the AA also reported an alarming trend in the amount of drivers who were pulling onto motorway hard shoulders during a breakdown, but then exiting the car and proceeding to pace up and down on the edge of the road, talking into their mobile.  This sort of behavior is potentially lethal, and further demonstrates the need for UK breakdown cover.

Discussing this issue, AA president Edmund King noted that when on the move ‘our brains have much to take in and using technological gadgets means that our brains can't always concentrate on so many things at once.’

‘We can't stop the march of technology but we need to halt the iPod pedestrian, cycle and driver zombies.  Whether on two feet, two wheels or four, too many people are suffering from so-called iPod oblivion.'  Mr King concluded.

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