U.S. Drivers Continue Trend of Being … Worse

Since the world has started getting back to normal, the behaviors exhibited by drivers during the pandemic — driving faster and more dangerously — seem to be getting worse. 

Porsche Gembella crash
The lighter traffic volumes during the pandemic due to shelter-in-place orders gave some drivers a little too much courage.

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggest traffic fatalities rose 12% during the first nine months of 2021. It’s the highest number of fatalities during the first nine months of the year since 2006 and the highest percentage increase during the same period in the recorded history of data in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, or FARS.

During much of the pandemic in 2020, the amount of traffic on American roads was down significantly due to lockdowns instituted across the country. However, the traffic fatality rate actually increased despite there being fewer vehicles on the road.

Experts at the time suggested the lighter traffic volumes emboldened many drivers to drive in ways they normally would not. Well, a new survey suggests things aren’t going to change soon.

Nationwide driver attitude graphics

Drivers gone wild

A new study by insurance company Nationwide suggests not only are drivers retaining the some of the reckless attitudes that seemingly carried the day in 2020, but they’re not going to change soon.

According to the study, 81% think drivers are more aggressive while 79% believe people are driving faster and 76% say drivers are more reckless now than in 2020. Additionally, the accountability of drivers is waning: 85% of those surveyed said they were good drivers, but only 29% believed other drivers were also good.

This sentiment carried across all age groups with millennials and GenXers believing the most in themselves: 86%. And, perhaps living up to a stereotype, Boomers thought only 20% of other drivers were good — 10 percentage points lower than the next lowest number.

Nationwide driver capability graphic

Driving while chatting is still dangerous

Even more frightening, more than a third of drivers (34%) believe it is safe to hold your phone while driving — whether that is to make a call, send a text, or use navigation. This feeling is more prevalent in younger drivers:

  • 39% of Gen Z and Millennials think it’s safe to be using the phone while driving
  • 35% of Gen X think it’s safe to be using the phone while driving
  • 20% of Boomers think it’s safe to be using the phone while driving

“Half of the drivers Nationwide surveyed said in the last six months they have held a cell phone to talk, text or use an app while driving,” said Beth Riczko, Nationwide’s president of P&C personal lines. “Far too many drivers are multitasking behind the wheel, putting everyone at risk by creating dangers for themselves, their passengers, pedestrians, and others on the road — I promise you it isn’t worth it.”


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