Columbus, OH — Around 1 in 5 U.S. adults who drive for work admit that they’re frequently distracted while behind the wheel, and 7 in 10 worry about being hurt or killed in a crash.
That’s according to a recent report from insurance provider Nationwide. It’s based on a survey of 400 workers whose primary job responsibility is to drive.
Of the 21% of respondents who said they’re frequently distracted, GPS or navigation systems were the most commonly cited source (55%), followed by responding to work-related text messages (52%), and talking or texting on a cellphone (47%).
Additionally, most drivers experience anxiety while operating their vehicle. In addition to the 70% who are fearful of being hurt or killed in a crash, 69% are concerned that a crash could affect future employment opportunities or damage their employer’s reputation.
As such, 87% of the respondents agreed that “management makes the safety of its drivers and others on the road a priority.” However, 80% think their employer should increase training to help prevent crashes and bolster safety – that’s up from 72% in the organizations 2024 survey.
Fifty-nine percent of the drivers said they were involved in or witnessed a crash in the past year, a jump from 48% in the previous survey.
In a press release, Mark McGhiey, risk management and client services leader at Nationwide, said employer efforts to use dashboard cameras in vehicles and create company policies on hands-free cellphone use suggest they’re “serious about tackling distractions and protecting their drivers.” However, he stresses that more needs to be done.
“With at least 1 in 5 drivers admitting to frequent distractions behind the wheel, and the industry’s belief that this number may be even higher,” McGhiey said, “it’s clear that policy alone isn’t enough – consistent driver engagement and training is crucial to turning these efforts into safer roads for everyone.”
