Shocking new figures have revealed that 34% of Scots drivers admit to speeding with a young child in their car.
Research carried out by YouGov also showed that 30% of motorists risk serious injury, or worse, by being “amber gamblers” with a passenger aged 12 or under in their vehicle.
The statistics were revealed as the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland launched a new campaign – Kids in the Car – aimed at improving drivers’ behaviour.
In the Scotland-wide poll, more than one in three adults who have ever driven with children aged 12 or under in their vehicle admitted driving at least 10mph over the speed limit.
More than a quarter, 26%, admitted shouting or swearing at other drivers or pedestrians, which nearly two-thirds of Scottish adults, 62%, felt was one of the worst sorts of behaviour to demonstrate to children while driving.
And 19% of those surveyed admitted driving with children in the car while feeling too tired – potentially putting lives at risk.
Other bad examples being set behind the wheel included drink-driving, not wearing a seatbelt, aggressive behaviour such as tailgating, and using a mobile phone.
Road Safety Scotland, part of Transport Scotland, and the Scottish Government, will jointly launch the new two-month campaign today to coincide with Child Safety Week.
And a roadshow will visit 30 locations throughout Scotland between now and August 20.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “The Scottish Government wants Scotland to be the best place to grow up and, while we have a good record on casualty reduction, there is no room for complacency.
“Working together as a nation, we must do everything in our power to make sure our most vulnerable road users are safe now, and in the years ahead.”
Mairi Blair, assistant director at Road Safety Scotland, said: “The positive examples we constantly aim to set for our children can be forgotten when we’re driving.
“Most people think they’re good drivers, but in a rushed or more stressful situation, on the school run for example, these pressures can sometimes mean people act in ways they usually would not.”
