68% of Brits have become distracted on the road because of a spider, flying insect or other small animal (not a pet) reveals a study out today.

webuyanycar.com asked 2000 people* across the UK about what distracts them in their car and the effect this has had on their driving.

The research revealed that insects are the most common distraction to drivers. As the nights draw in yet temperatures remain unseasonably warm, webuyanycar.com has teamed up with road safety charity Brake to encourage drivers to take precautions before setting off, to guard against distractions, and to ensure they stay focused on the road when behind the wheel.

40% of those surveyed have been distracted by a flying insect, 17% by spiders and 11% by a small animal while on the road.

Worryingly, in-car distractions caused 13% to drift into another lane, 10% to stop their car in an unsafe manner and 7% to crash their car.

Women were almost twice as likely to be distracted by a spider (21% vs 12% of men) although distracted men were twice as likely to crash as women. (11% of men versus 5% of women).

Other driver distractions included drinking and eating (40%), changing the CD/radio (33%), texting (15%) looking at a map (14%), doing hair and make-up (6%) and using Facebook/twitter (5%).

webuyanycar.com, the UK’s favourite specialist car buyer comments: “The combination of dark nights and creepy crawlies can be a nightmare for some drivers. Being safe on the road is about making sensible choices about what you do behind the wheel so that you can respond to all of the distractions without putting yourself or other road users in danger.

“We recommend that nervous drivers take precautions before setting off on their journey by checking the places that insects are most likely to hide away, behind the driver’s vanity mirror, behind the wing mirrors and behind the steering wheel.”

Julie Townsend, campaigns director at Brake, says: “It’s perhaps not surprising that so many drivers allow themselves to get distracted at the wheel, but it’s vital to bear in mind that driving is the most dangerous thing that most of us do day to day; it’s a huge responsibility and it requires your full attention.

“We urge drivers to take steps before setting off to avoid distractions – like checking your route, eating before leaving, and turning your phone off – and remember that only a moment’s lapse of concentration at the wheel can have devastating consequences.”