People in the South West are most worried about being late for a business meeting; followed by picking kids up from school; getting to work; and then a romantic dinner with their partner.

Off the roads, 50% said they rush eating and housework, 13% said they rush helping children with homework, but just 6% said they rush sex.

Increasing work and family pressures are contributing to accidents and road rage as South West drivers rush to get everything done, according to the latest research from car hire comparator Carrentals.co.uk.

Carrentals.co.uk questioned nearly 800 drivers on their lifestyles and found that 60% regularly rush to get to work, with 43% admitting they drive more recklessly when rushing, taking chances when overtaking, speeding and driving more aggressively.

With growing pressures on time, a third of drivers said they don't concentrate as much on the road when they're late, and nearly 1 in 10 drivers said they had had an accident or injury as a result.

Incidents range from reversing into a lamppost, to crashing into another car, losing control of a car, speeding, and even a pedestrian being hit on a marked crossing.

The effect of rushing was also seen in increasing incidents of road rage, with one in 10 drivers involved in a road rage incident as a result of being late. From being followed and flashed at, to physical abuse, violent attacks on cars, and one driver who described being pushed into the curb despite an oncoming car, the stresses of the road are being magnified by increasingly busy lives.

Surprisingly, respondents were most worried about being late for business meetings, with over 41% stating this as their main reason for hurrying. Second came picking up children from school, followed by getting to work, and in fourth place being late for a romantic dinner with a partner.

Away from the car, respondents also admitted to rushing other areas of their lives. Top of the list was rushing when they eat; followed by housework; then catching up with friends; and helping children with homework. Just 6.5% said they rushed sex, despite one respondent stating his wife said that's exactly what he did.

Gareth Robinson, managing director of Carrentals.co.uk, says: "We've all experienced it at some point, but there's no doubt that with increasingly hectic lifestyles and work commitments South West drivers are rushing more than ever before. As a result there is a lack of concentration while driving, which can eventually prove fatal.

"One of the surprising things the research found was the focus there is on rushing for work. Of all the areas to risk safety for, we were astonished that work was at the top. We hope the findings will encourage all drivers to think carefully next time they're running late, and slow down, rather than speed up."

1:56pm Saturday 10th May 2008

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