Nearly One-Third of Drivers Talk on Phone Daily
Some 80% of motorists recently surveyed said they have talked on their phone while driving in the past 30 days — with 30% reporting they do so on a daily basis.

Three in 10 motorists acknowledged that they talked on their phone while driving on a daily basis in a new survey from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Photo courtesy of IIHS.
Some 80% of motorists recently surveyed said they have talked on their phone while driving in the past 30 days — with 30% reporting they do so on a daily basis.
Conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) from January to March 2018, the goal of the survey was to determine precisely how people make use of their phones while behind the wheel.
Noteworthy, the majority who reported talking on the phone said they only do so hands-free.
Legislation that bans the use of hand-held cellphones appears to be working, according to the survey results. While only 14% of drivers surveyed in states that have a law against holding a cell phone said they sometimes engage in hand-held conversations, 31% of those who reside in a state without a hand-held phone ban do so.
Age plays a role in who talks on phones most often while driving. While seniors talk the least behind the wheel — just 36% reported doing so — middle-age drivers were the worst offenders. In fact, 64% of drivers age 30-59 said they talk on their phone a few times a week or more — either hands-free or hand-held.
The survey also explored if and how drivers manipulated a cellphone. Experts say manipulating a phone is especially hazardous, increasing the chances for a crash.
Yet 38% of drivers surveyed admitted to reading emails or texts while driving and 33% said they sent emails or texts, notes IIHS. In both cases, drivers 18-24 years of age were the worst offenders.
More Safety

NAFA Fleet Safety Symposium to Collocate With 2026 Fleet Forward Conference
The daylong certificate program will precede the Fleet Forward Conference at the Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland.
Read More →
The Distractions You Can’t Turn Off: What Drivers Face Outside the Vehicle
Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.
Read More →
FLASH Weather AI Launches First Deep-Learning Hail Prediction Model With High-Resolution Forecasting
FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.
Read More →
How Coca-Cola United Protects Its Fleet from Growing Legal Risk
As litigation risk rises, vehicles are increasingly targeted. This Coca-Cola bottler shares how it’s reducing exposure through driver training, technology, and a proactive risk management approach.
Read More →
How to Speak the Same Language on Fleet Safety
Drivers, supervisors, and data often speak different safety “languages.” Getting on the same page will drive better results.
Read More →
Fleet Cybersecurity 101: What You Need from Your Technology Vendors
From identity management to third-party certifications, the right technology partner should make security easier to manage. Here are the three building blocks that fleet managers need to stay in control as connected systems scale.
Read More →
Reducing Risk by Eliminating Phone Use Behind the Wheel
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
Distracted Driving in the Age of Smart Tech – Part 2
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
Data Rights, Risks, and Responsibilities After a Crash
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
From Distraction to Detection: Strengthening Awareness in Fleet Drivers
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →