Imagine what would happen if we took the same approach and focused on our responsibility to each other while driving - safely and without additional distraction?

In August 2020, the State Farm® Enterprise Research Department conducted an online survey with adults ages 18 and older examining attitudes and behaviors around distracted driving. It revealed that we are still texting, speeding, reading, on social media, grooming, gaming and taking selfies while behind the wheel driving.

This survey, the ninth wave of a study first conducted in August 2009, found that nine out of 10 drivers (89%) said they engaged in at least one of the 14 distracted driving behaviors studied while behind the wheel.

More drivers reported participating in each behavior studied in 2020 than they did in 2010 or 2015, with the exception of talking on a hand-held phone (engagement has declined significantly since 2010 as more drivers are talking hands free).

Factors at Play

Smartphone ownership has increased steadily since 2011 moving from 53 percent of all respondents in 2011 to 95 percent in 2020. This increase has enabled more drivers to take part in smartphone-related distracted driving, like accessing the internet, which has more than doubled between 2010 and 2020.

Age greatly influenced the reported rate of distracted behaviors in 2020. Drivers under age 40 were significantly more likely than those age 40 and over to say they engaged in distracted phone and navigation behaviors. And while 56 percent believed manually interacting with a phone while driving greatly increases the likelihood of a crash – consumers continue to put themselves and everyone on the road at risk.

Younger drivers were significantly more likely to exhibit other risky behaviors while driving, including speeding, driving drowsy, failing to use turn signals, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“So much has changed in our lives this past year,” State Farm Assistant Vice President - Enterprise Research Laurel K. Straub said. “We don't know what our ‘new normal’ might be, but we can start taking responsibility for the safety of ourselves and others by making positive choices when it comes to our driving behavior behind the wheel.”

Imagine if we all pledge to start today to keep our eyes on the road, our hands on the wheel and our minds on the road ahead, how much better protected we would be from exposure to reckless and potentially deadly driving distractions.

“Distracted driving behaviors and crashes are preventable,” Laurel said. “Let’s normalize that.”

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Distracted While Driving Report

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Distracted Driving Infographic

 

• Nine out of ten teenage drivers say they engage in at least one smartphone behavior while driving.
• Parents influence their teenage children. Teens whose parents use cellphones while driving were more likely to do the same.
• Teens report using phones while driving despite finding such activities distracting and believing they can increase the likelihood of a crash.
• Teens who have been in an accident have a higher tendency to use their phone when behind the wheel.
• Many teens reported driving a vehicle equipped with an advanced safety feature: automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, or lane keeping assist. These teens more likely engaged in distracted smartphone behaviors while driving than those who drove vehicles without safety features. Teens are comfortable taking their eyes off the road to focus on other tasks when the safety systems are active. This is a dangerous combination.

“Drivers who engage in distracting behaviors while behind the wheel are making the decision to put themselves, their passengers and other road users at risk,“ said Laurel Straub, Assistant Vice President of Enterprise Research at State Farm. “Unfortunately, this risk often leads to crashes, injuries, and fatalities. These tragedies are preventable.”

For teens, parents are an important role model in the car.

"Our data shows that teens who admit to using a smartphone while driving are more likely to have a parent or guardian who also uses a phone while driving,” Straub added.

When learning hands-on driving skills it's important to:

• Eliminate distractions when behind the wheel.
• Practice your driving skills with your parents.
• Enroll in drivers education courses. 
• Review state graduated drivers licensing laws.
• Establish restrictions, boundaries and curfews. 

Tips to avoid distractions while driving (not just for teens!):

• Put the phone away. Set it to send an automatic reply while driving – no texts, internet, selfies or social media.
• Adjust controls -  GPS, radios, air conditioning, or mirrors – before driving.
• If you must call, pull over and park in a safe place or ask your passenger to call.
• Always, always have your head in the game – drive safe.

More safety help is available. Our auto insurance discount programs like State Farm Drive Safe & Save^TM and Steer Clear^® help you save while also improving your driving habits. Steer Clear reinforces safe driving habits in young drivers under age 25.

*Source: ^{1, 2} National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; ³ Pew Research Center

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• Full 2020 Survey Report: Distracted Teens Behind the Wheel