UK drivers think of sex rather than signals (from ST Interactive)

LONDON - Over a million motorists think about sex rather than the road ahead and millions more who don't indulge in intimate thoughts are worrying about work or thinking about their families.

Research from car insurer More Than published on Thursday found one in five drivers admit to concentrating behind the wheel less than 75 percent of the time, with 1.2 million thinking mostly about sex.

And sex wasn't the only non-traffic thoughts motorists have.

For 3.2 million drivers work was the main focus and for 2 million more it was family issues that dominated.

'Unsafe habits can be unlearned just as easily as they can be learned, but first, drivers must recognise the risk they face by not concentrating on their driving,' said Ms Lisa Dorn, director of Driver Research at Cranfield University of the findings.

The study also revealed drivers' pet hates.

Topping the list were tailgaters (28 per cent), lane hoggers (20 per cent) and drivers who cut in (11 per cent).

Other road users who drove too fast and those who drove too slowly were also rated on 11 per cent.

The reaserch carried out by Sky Living for More Than questioned 4,497 adults in June 2006. -- REUTERS