New data from Nationwide has highlighted concerning trends regarding distracted driving among both standard and commercial drivers. According to a recent driving behaviors survey, one-third of commercial drivers admit to feeling distracted behind the wheel, with 6 in 10 acknowledging that their peers are using their phones more frequently and driving faster than before.
The primary causes of distraction for commercial drivers include using GPS/Nav systems, responding to work text messages, talking on mobile phones, and checking social media apps. Many of these actions are reportedly taken for work purposes, indicating potential pressure from employers to meet tight timelines, leading to distractions while driving.
Kelly Hernandez, AVP of Nationwide's personal telematics, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, "Nationwide’s telematics driving data shows that drivers take their eyes off the road at least 12 times per day. The average distraction for a driver traveling at 45MPH would cover the length of three football fields!" Hernandez also called for all 50 states to adopt hands-free laws to reduce crashes and save lives.
On the consumer side, 90% of respondents expressed the belief that holding a phone while driving is dangerous. However, there is a discrepancy in self-assessment, with 80% rating their own driving as 'very good' or 'excellent' compared to other drivers on the road. The majority agree that driving has become more dangerous, attributing this to other drivers being increasingly distracted by their phones.
In response to the growing issue of distracted driving, many states are considering Hands-Free legislation as a potential solution. Currently, 26 states and D.C. have primary hands-free laws in place, while 16 states have no laws prohibiting handheld cell phone use while driving. Ohio's implementation of Hands-Free legislation in 2022 resulted in a 16% reduction in distracted driving-related accidents and nearly 25% fewer distracted driving fatalities in the first nine months of 2023.
The public overwhelmingly supports laws to prohibit drivers from holding their phones while talking or texting, with 89% in favor of such legislation. Nationwide encourages individuals to check if their state has enacted Hands-Free Legislation and provides a distracted driving resource center for further information.