2023 Distracted Driving for Consumers

Distracted Driving
2023 Travelers Risk Index for Consumers

If we know we’re driving distracted, why do we keep doing it?
Drivers are keenly aware of the dangers of distraction and yet the numbers remain high.
We are aware of the threat
70% of Travelers Risk Index respondents see distracted driving as a bigger problem now than a few years ago

Yet, we’ve had near misses
36% have had a near miss in the past year, up nearly 6% from the previous year
…and we’ve crashed
17% have been in a crash in the past year, up 70% from the previous year
And we continue to multitask
80% make or receive phone calls
57% use a handheld device
57% read texts or emails
49% text or type emails
28% update social media
27% record videos or take photos

Stress and drowsiness contribute
76% of respondents admitted to experiencing stress or intense emotions while driving
62% said they drive while drowsy
20% said that being lost in thought or daydreaming was the most distracting thing they did while driving

How stress impacts driving¹
Stressed drivers often:
Accelerate and brake more frequently and intensively
Drive at high speed
Encroach upon other lanes to pass other vehicles
Fail to stop at crosswalks

How sleep loss impacts driving²
Drivers have worse reaction times, are less aware of hazards and have diminished focus as they get drowsier
Driving after 20+ hours without sleep is comparable to driving with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08%
A driver is 3X more likely to crash when fatigued

Here’s what you can do:
Speak up: 84% of consumers who use a phone while driving would be less likely to do so if asked by a passenger
Power down: Turn off your device or use the “Do Not Disturb” function while driving
Explore telematics options: Technology that gathers driving data in real time can provide feedback for safer driving
Know your limits: Avoid driving when you are experiencing heightened emotions or lost sleep

Learn more about the Travelers Risk Index and techniques you can use to help put the brakes on distracted driving.

^{1 National Center for Biotechnology Information, The Effects of the Driver’s Mental State and Passenger Compartment Conditions on Driving Performance and Driving Stress (2020).
2 National Safety Council, Drivers are Falling Asleep Behind the Wheel (2022).}

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