Nationwide Study on Drivers: Distracted On the Road

Nationwide Insurance in its second annual DWD (Driving While Distracted) study found that, while 98 percent of Americans claim to be safe drivers, a vast majority also admit to DWD. More than four out of five cell-phone owners are guilty of talking on their phones while driving, and nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of all drivers admit to partaking in some form of distracting behavior while driving, from cell phone use to eating. Further, almost 80 percent have been in a vehicle with distracted drivers and more than 40 percent have been hit or almost hit by another driver who was talking on a cell phone while driving.   
  
“Our survey shows that four out of five drivers have been both guilty of, and witnesses to, DWD,” said Bill Windsor, Associate Vice President of Safety for Nationwide. “Clearly, distracted driving has taken over our roadways, and our survey shows that no one is immune - no matter how safe they think they are. In fact, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, distracted driving causes 80 percent of all accidents.”   
  
The survey found that the prevalence of DWD can be attributed to technology and our societal mindset to be available at all times. Following are highlights of the study:   
  
* Nearly half (48 percent) considered cell phones and other technology use to be the most dangerous distraction.   
  
*Availability of technology was cited by 35 percent as the reason DWD is so common today.   
  
*Use of technology extends beyond speaking on the phone to text messages and e-mail. Nearly 40 percent of teens and Gen Yers who own cell phones admit to texting while driving, which requires additional visual, cognitive and manual attention.   
  
*Almost two-thirds of drivers who own cell phones said their colleagues, friends and family expect them to be available by cell or other electronic communication devices at all times.   
  
*Our current societal mindset and busy, on-the-go lifestyles were cited by 35 percent as the reason why people drive distracted. Specifically, multitasking was cited by 22 percent and having too much to do and too little time was cited by 30 percent.   
  
*In addition to multitasking, the survey found DWD is growing in prevalence simply to stay connected socially. Nearly half of teens and Gen Y cited staying connected socially as a reason for driving while distracted.   
  
We found Americans think they’re safe drivers, even though they admit to driving while distracted,” continued Windsor. “This dangerous false sense of confidence combined with current ‘rules’ making it socially and professionally unacceptable to not respond immediately to a call or e-mail, have made DWD commonplace, but Americans need to realize that there is no such thing as safe DWD.”   
  
For more information on DWD - facts and figures, tips on safe driving and updates on Nationwide’s partnership with NASCAR to raise awareness of DWD - please visit www.nationwide.com/dwd.