The Blind Side - Hollywood’s dangerous driving habit

• Stars driving in Hollywood movies look away from the road for an average of 14 seconds – seven times longer than recommended 
• Indiana Jones drives blind for almost a minute in Raiders of the Lost Ark 
• Innovative study reveals in 10 per cent of the Hollywood movies reviewed people ‘drove’ over half a mile without once looking at the road 
• Over four fifths (85 per cent) showed drivers travelling the length of an Olympic swimming pool without casting their eyes ahead

Dangerous driving features heavily in Best Picture-nominated Hollywood movies, reveals new research by Churchill motor insurance.1 Analysis of 20 critically acclaimed movies from the past 50 years found actors are filmed not looking at the road ahead for 14 consecutive seconds on average, more than seven times the recommended limit.2   If replicated in real-world conditions at 30 miles per hour, this lack of attention would mean covering approximately 187 meters or the length of nearly four Olympic swimming pools without focusing on the road ahead, setting a concerning example for viewers. 

From cult classics such as Taxi Driver (1976) all the way through to modern favourites such as Anora (2024), the front runner to take this year’s top prize, characters continuously exhibit dangerous driving behaviours with their focus on passengers and in-car distractions rather than on the road ahead. 

Shockingly, 10 per cent of films studied featured characters travelling over a half a mile (800m) without looking at the road, a distance that would almost inevitably result in a serious collision in real life. In over four fifths of movies (85 per cent) reviewed, characters travelled further than the length of an Olympic swimming pool before bringing their eyes back to the road. 

The longest distraction observed was in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), in which Harrison Ford stars as Indiana Jones in the first blockbuster released in the beloved series. During one scene Indiana is shown driving at terrifying speeds, while he is sabotaged by Nazis, averting his gaze from the desert road for almost 52 seconds as he avoids his adversaries.

Lead characters from more recent motion pictures such as Nomadland (2020), starring Frances McDormand, are seen with their eyes away from the road for over three seconds at a time, long enough to cause the vehicle to veer into another lane, oncoming traffic or miss a car ahead braking sharply. 

Table 1 – Films studied and the amount of time that the characters are looking away from the road. 

Source: Churchill motor insurance, 2025

Life imitates art, when it was revealed Hugh Grant almost died3 in real life as he narrowly avoided backing into an oncoming truck filming the iconic opening scene in Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994). The movie’s director, Mike Newell, admitted that Grant should not have been actually driving in the scene, where he speeds along the motorway in a mini when running late for a wedding ceremony, viewing the incident as a near miss. 

Some of the films studied, such as The Blind Side (2009), depict a serious collision because of distractions. In a scene inspired by real life events, the story’s protagonist is seen interacting with his younger brother for 15.7 seconds while driving on a suburban road before a car crash occurs. Thankfully, all parties survive with just minor injuries.

Nicholas Mantel, Head of Churchill Motor Insurance, commented: “Hollywood movies relay a fantasy, but they also inspire millions. We invite their stories into our homes, identify with their characters, and often mimic their behaviour.  Our research shows that portrayals of driving in popular media often don’t set the best example. It is important to always stay vigilant when behind the wheel and not to copy the bad driving habits depicted on our screens. Motorists should always drive with due care and attention, staying focused at all times, especially when chatting to passengers.” 

The Highway Code warns of the dangers of distractions while operating a vehicle, advising that “safe driving needs concentration” and that “you must exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times”. Official advice from The Highway Code strictly prohibits the use of mobile devices while driving, and recommends avoiding distractions, specifically:

• loud music (which may mask other sounds)

• trying to read maps

• starting or adjusting any music or radio

• arguing with your passengers or other road users

• eating and drinking

• smoking

- ENDS -

Notes to editors:

1. Eight people took part in the study, watching 20 motion picture films from 3rd February 2025 until 23rd February 2025. Films were watched in their entirety using stopwatches to record the maximum continuous length of time across the entire movie that any character was shown driving without casting their eyes on the road. 

   a) Distance travelled was estimated by categorising the road driven on during the observed scene into three subsets: motorways (approximate speed 70mph), major roads (50mph) or suburban roads (30mph). The distance travelled while looking away from the road was then calculated using the given speed and the time.

   i) Formula used: Estimated distance travelled (m) = Approximate speed (converted to m/s) x time looking away from road (seconds)2.

2. https://etsc.eu/new-driver-monitoring-requirements-for-assisted-driving-two-steps-forward-one-step-back/

3. https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/may/07/the-inside-story-of-four-weddings-and-a-funeral

For further information please contact:

Direct Line Group:

Unni Henry 

PR Manager

Email: unni.henry@directlinegroup.co.uk

Churchill

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line. 

Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by UK Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. 

Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.   

Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200 300 or visiting www.churchill.com.