Do You Drive Distracted?

Do you know if you’re driving distracted? A recent State Farm survey provide 9 ways that you might be driving distracted. Keep reading to see how you are driving distracted and statistics found during this study.

#1: Smartphone-Related Distracted Driving Behaviors are Increasing

• Using a hands-free device is used to talk on a cellphone.
• Listening to and/or programming a navigation system.
• Accessing the internet while driving.
• Using in-car wireless Internet built into a vehicle.

#2: New Dangerous Behaviors are Being Reported

• Nearly 2 in 10 drivers reported taking pictures with their cellphone while driving.
• 1 in 10 drivers reported to recording video while driving.
• 1 in 4 respondents reported attending to children while driving.
• Over 2 in 10 reported to attending to pet.

#3: You Perceive Behaviors as Distractions but You Still Participate

• Over 94% of drivers indicated that sending and/or reading text messages was at least somewhat distracting, yet 36% reported text messaging while driving.
• 9 in 10 drivers indicated programming a navigation system was at least somewhat distracting, yet over half reported doing this activity while driving.
• Nearly 3 in 10 respondents reported accessing the Internet while driving despite 95% reporting that the behavior is at least somewhat distracting.

#4: Distracted Driving Behaviors are More Common Amoung Younger Age Groups

Adults younger than 40 years of age are more likely to:

• Talk on a hand-held cellphone.
• Text on a cellphone.
• Listen to and program a navigation system.
• Access the Internet.
• Read/respond to emails.
• Read/update social media.

18-29 year old’s are more likely than those 40 or older to:

• Taking pictures.
• Recording videos.
• Using voice-command technology.

#5: These Behaviors are More Common if You Live in a Metro Areas

• Programming a Navigation System.
• Reading E-mail.
• Responding to E-mails.

#6: You Own a Smartphone

• Almost all adults under 40 have a smartphone and 70% of those 65 or older have a smartphone.

#7: Your Driving Situation Plays a Role in Your Decisions

• 63% of drivers who use their cellphone while driving reported that being reported that being stopped at a red light makes them more likely to use their cellphone.
• 1/4 of respondents are more likely to use their cellphone when driving on an open highway compared to other types of roads and traffic conditions.

#8: Drivers Support Laws Governing the Use of Cellphones while Driving

• 1/2 feel driving and cellphone use laws are infrequently enforced.
• 84% of respondents are supportive of laws prohibiting cellphone use that requires physically interacting with the cellphone.
• 61% are supportive of laws prohibiting the use of the cellphone for any activity.

#9: One of these Events is the Only Reason You would Stop Texting & Driving

• 48% – Causing a Crash
• 42% – Financial and/or Legal Consequences
• 36% – Getting Caught by Police
• 30% – Wanting to Drive as Safely as Possible & Being a Role-Model
• 22% – Knowing Someone Who Previously Caused or was involved in a Crash
• 18% – Employer penalty if caught using the phone while driving.
• 17% – Hearing/seeing a sad story about a crash resulting from text messaging.
• 13% – A law is deterrent.
• 10% – Having a family member tell me to stop.

Source: Property Casualty 360

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