By Jon Wey, Director of Consumer & Technology Insights

Combating the issue of distracted driving is part of my daily routine: both in the office and on the road. As a father of two teenagers who will soon be driving on their own, I’ve been working hard to role model the right behaviors for them. At State Farm®, I lead a team of researchers and regularly collaborate with industry partners to decrease the number of lives affected by distracted driving each year through injuries and fatalities.

There are many reasons why driving has become more challenging in recent years. You’ve heard of driving while intoxicated, but new research shows driving while stressed is also risky and dangerous.
 

New Research

In Fall 2025, a State Farm survey found more than 65% of drivers ages 22-40 believe it’s safe to look away from the road for two or more seconds, despite research showing a two-second glance can double crash risk.

The research also showed: When drivers have items on their "to-do" list, 27% said they become more distracted. Another 17% reported that being upset or stressed led to participating in more dangerous activities while driving.

The fact: Increased stress can cause a driver to lean into distraction, breaking their focus behind the wheel and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Drivers reported using their “eyes off road” time to use the GPS, search for music, text and manually dial a number to call someone – all while driving along on the road.
 

Setting an Intention

Instead of just seeing safe driving as a rule we have to follow, what if we looked at it as a chance to unplug from distractions and reconnect with ourselves? Driving with full attention isn’t just about following the law, it’s about making roads safer for the pedestrian walking by, the kids heading home from school – everyone.

When we think of mindful driving as a way to reduce stress and boost our well-being, it might just inspire more of us to limit distraction while on the road and save a life, including our own.

Each morning when I get in my truck now – once I know my wife is ready to go teach her students and my kids are ready to go be students – I slam my truck door and just sit there, soaking in the silence for a good couple of moments. I love taking that moment of tranquility and I try to carry that mindful approach forward into my daily drive to work. Playlist set. Phone in silent mode. No distractions.

Planning ahead, before beginning your drive, can be the difference between routing your day and rerouting your future.

 

Distracted Driver Infographic

PDF version available for viewing and/or download: Distracted Driving: What Most Drivers Don’t Realize.
 

By Jeff Legner, Vice President of Property & Casualty Claims

The recent deployment of enhanced mobile accident detection and response technology from State Farm® marks one of the most promising initiatives of its kind in the insurance industry. With rising claims resulting from distracted driving and severe weather collisions, insurers like State Farm are redefining how they support drivers in real time, setting new standards for responsiveness and risk management in an increasingly connected digital world.

Accident Assistance is a feature available at no additional cost to any customers enrolled in Drive Safe & Save®. And in Illinois, Florida, and Ohio, it’s also available to eligible auto policy customers through the State Farm app regardless of Drive Safe & Save enrollment. In 2025, State Farm introduced the technology as a pilot program to millions of customers across these states by integrating it into the revamped State Farm app. 

The program offers real-time accident detection, police response service requests, and a streamlined claims filing experience. These features were designed to greatly reduce response times after a detected collision and provide you the support you need during the most critical moments - when every second matters.
 

An Emerging Need

The timing of this rollout isn’t coincidental. We’re seeing road conditions become increasingly dangerous. For example, a 2025 study from State Farm revealed 80% of drivers admit to engaging in at least one distracting behavior while driving and roughly 65% of drivers believe it’s okay to take their eyes off the road for 2 or more seconds.

As an industry leader in auto safety, State Farm has spent decades helping keep people safe From Car Seat to Driver’s Seat™.
 

How the Technology Works for You

The enhanced Accident Assistance program automatically detects when an accident occurs and can:

• Initiate contact with police response services when the driver is unresponsive to the notifications or the vehicle does not resume driving and a severe accident is detected 
   
• Pinpoint exact accident locations using GPS technology
   
• Begin claims processing once a service tow is requested; drivers can also file a claim in the app
   
• Connect drivers with available roadside services for non-emergency situations

Once an eligible driver opts into the program, users consent to data and location sharing, in addition to the use of their smartphone’s sensors to detect movement forces that indicate an accident. Privacy is a priority for State Farm, so we use encrypted data transmission and let you control the app’s access to your phone’s sensors to properly safeguard your information.
 

Expanding Access and Road Safety Outcomes

This technology exemplifies the expanding collaboration across the telematics and insurance industries to leverage advanced data to reinforce customer safety and deliver exceptional service. While launching initially in Illinois, Florida and Ohio, we plan additional rollouts in 2026 to promote driver safety across more regions and better assist the driving journeys of all road users.

Accident Assistance, previously limited to customers enrolled in Drive Safe & Save via the State Farm app, will soon be available to all eligible State Farm auto policyholders who have downloaded the app, regardless of enrollment in the Drive Safe & Save program.

As vehicle technologies continue to evolve and driving behaviors shift in the years ahead, we are dedicated to supporting your well-being in critical moments of need and prioritizing your safety on our shared roadways. As we progress further, we look forward to sharing more developments with you.

By Allyson Watts, Senior Vice President

When Florida families open their auto insurance bills, many will see something they haven’t experienced in years: lower rates. According to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, the state’s major insurers reduced rates by an average of 6.5% in 2025. State Farm® implemented multiple rate decreases last year. Together, they represent more than 20% in reductions in private passenger auto insurance rates for our Florida customers since fall 2024 - tangible proof that thoughtful policy reform and industry collaboration can deliver real results for consumers.

This isn’t happening by accident. It’s the direct result of Florida’s legislators and insurance regulators recognizing the impact of rising insurance costs - caused by over-litigation - and being willing to hear industry concerns and tackle the real problems behind the rising costs.
 

When Reform Works, Consumers Win

In 2023, the Legislature passed HB 837, a monumental litigation reform package addressing lawsuit abuse. Rather than accept the status quo of ever-increasing litigation, lawmakers enacted reforms that changed the litigation landscape, reducing litigation and lowering litigation costs which in turn lowered the cost of auto insurance for many Florida families. 
 

The Path Forward

While we celebrate this progress, Florida still faces unique challenges that demand ongoing attention and collaboration. Severe weather events, from hurricanes to hailstorms to tornadoes, continue to increase in frequency and intensity. Supply chain disruptions and inflation impact the cost of vehicle parts and repairs. These realities mean maintaining affordable insurance requires constant vigilance and adjustments.

State Farm remains committed to working with public policymakers to advance legislative solutions that continue to improve the insurance marketplace. The success of HB 837 shows what’s possible when thoughtful policymaking and balanced regulatory oversight combine with industry expertise to benefit Floridians.
 

A Model for Sustainable Solutions

Florida’s litigation reform effort offers valuable lessons for other states grappling with similar challenges. By focusing on meaningful solutions rather than short-term fixes, policymakers created a framework to benefit and protect consumers while maintaining market stability. This approach recognizes that a healthy insurance market requires balance – a focus on consumers alongside conditions that allow insurers to operate sustainably and competitively.

The progress we’ve achieved together is significant. State Farm is committed to working with Florida’s leaders to put consumers first while working toward long-term market stability. State Farm has been serving Florida customers for seven decades. Together, we can continue building an insurance market that serves all Floridians effectively and affordably.