HARTFORD, Conn. — The 2024 Travelers Insurance Risk Index shows that the nation’s highways are full of distracted drivers.
The results show that many of the common distractions that had been consistently declining have rebounded in recent years, with some even surpassing pre-pandemic figures, according to a news release. Crashes and near misses due to distracted driving have also increased.
Behaviors that are on the rise since before the pandemic include:
- Updating or checking social media — up 13%.
- Typing a text or email — up 10%.
- Talking on a cellphone (hands-free) — up 10%.
- Using a cellphone to record videos/take photos — up 9%.
- Reading a text or email — up 9%
“Distraction is one of the leading causes of roadway fatalities, and it continues to have a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities,” said Michael Klein, executive vice president and president of personal insurance at Travelers. “Creating safer roadways requires action from each of us, and while the survey results show that people are concerned about distracted driving, they are still unfortunately taking dangerous risks.”
Notably, nearly half of respondents believe roads are less safe than they were one year ago, and 78% believe inattentive driving is more of a problem now than it has been in past years. The latest official data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) underscores those findings, as U.S. traffic deaths jumped by 10.5% in 2021, and NHTSA’s estimates since then show a similarly high fatality rate.
Business Concerns
Of the executives surveyed, 85% — compared to 77% in 2023 — noted being concerned about employees’ use of mobile technology while driving.
That increase comes as 68% of executives said they have instituted distracted driving policies, and many have reinforced that guidance by:
- Formally communicating about restrictions concerning phone calls, texts and/or emails while driving for work (84%)
- Requiring employees to sign an acknowledgment of the policy (66%)
- Disciplining employees who do not comply with company policy (77%)
- Prohibiting the use of handheld devices while driving (53%)
Creating Safer Roadways
Consistent with the findings of previous years, the 2024 Travelers Risk Index indicated that several factors could motivate drivers to remain focused, including passengers voicing their concerns (86%) and financial rewards for safe driving (86%).
“Distracted driving is a preventable crisis,” said Chris Hayes, Assistant Vice President of Workers Compensation and Transportation, Risk Control, at Travelers. “If you’re the passenger in a vehicle, speak up if the driver isn’t paying attention to the road. If you’re an employer, avoid calling employees when you know they’re driving. If you’re a parent, be a positive role model by putting the phone away and avoiding distractions when you’re behind the wheel.”
Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and raised in East Texas, John Worthen returned to his home state to attend college in 1998 and decided to make his life in The Natural State. Worthen is a 20-year veteran of the journalism industry and has covered just about every topic there is. He has a passion for writing and telling stories. He has worked as a beat reporter and bureau chief for a statewide newspaper and as managing editor of a regional newspaper in Arkansas. Additionally, Worthen has been a prolific freelance journalist for two decades, and has been published in several travel magazines and on travel websites.
Just as important is the 30k drivers who have been put out of a CDL for marijuana test violations. With accidents between trucks at a historical high ,up over 20% there’s no place for this drug use in trucking,while at work or between when tested by random or otherwise.The most alarming and dangerous component is NORMAL ,the agency for drug use is against testing drivers and CDL drivers.