Presenter Geoff Marsh buckles up to find out. He travels through the science of how driving becomes second nature, brakes sharply when he realises he’s not necessarily in conscious control at 70mph, and tries to refocus when he discovers why drivers don’t always see things that are staring them in the face. He also asks what’s happening when our mind drifts away from the road, and what can be done to help drivers pay more attention and reduce accidents.

Presenter: Geoff Marsh

Producer: Anna Lacey

Sound design: Peregrine Andrews

(Photo: A woman sits in her car, looking through window glass with rain drops. Credit: Getty Images)