Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Drivers Thwarting Safety Tech with Video Chat, Texting

Some 62% of drivers with adaptive cruise control say they read or send texts while driving as compared with just 49% of drivers without adaptive cruise control, according to a new survey from State Farm.

July 31, 2019
Drivers Thwarting Safety Tech with Video Chat, Texting

Nearly half of drivers are texting or using video chat when they have advanced safety technology engaged, according to a new State Farm study.

Photo via Amanda Mills/Freestockphotos.biz.

2 min to read


Some 62% of drivers with adaptive cruise control say they read or send texts while driving as compared with just 49% of drivers without adaptive cruise control, according to a new survey from State Farm.

The study also found that 42% of motorists with lane keeping assist engage in video chats while driving as compared with just 20% of drivers who don't have that technology in their vehicle.

Ad Loading...

While advanced driver assist features offer promising safety benefits, they are designed to work in conjunction with engaged driver behaviors. However, the survey authors conclude that drivers who actively use advanced safety tech in their vehicles are instead taking more risks with their own behaviors.

When it comes to adaptive cruise control, 56% of drivers who use it say they also interact with cell phone apps frequently or sometimes while behind the wheel versus 42% of drivers who don't use ACC. In addition, 52% of users say they manually enter a phone number while driving as compared with just 38% of non-users.

As for holding a phone while talking, 60% of users admit to doing so as compared with 50% of those who don't use adaptive cruise control. Finally, while some 39% of the users engage in video chatting behind the wheel just 19% of those who don't use it say they do so.

Drivers who use lane keeping assist are equally prone to falling into risky behavior patterns while operating their vehicles.

For example, 62% of users said they read or send texts while driving as compared with 51% of non-users of the technology. Some 54% of users said they interact with cell phone apps behind the wheel as compared with 44% of non-users.

Ad Loading...

While 56% of drivers with the technology admit to manually entering a phone number, only 38% of drivers without the technology say they do the same. When it comes to holding a phone while talking as they drive, 63% of drivers say they do so sometimes or frequently as compared with 51% of drivers without the technology.

More Safety

An image to reflect an article on how the safest fleets aren't the ones with the most tech.
SafetyAugust 11, 2026

The Safest Fleets Aren’t the Ones with the Most Technology

You’ve made the telematics investment. Here’s how to capture the other half of its value and build the safest fleet on the road.

Read More →
Cover of the AgileFleet white paper "Hidden in Plain Sight: Fleet Compliance Risks" with the AgileFleet logo and a photo of fleet vehicles parked outside a government building.
SponsoredAugust 7, 2026

Hidden in Plain Sight: Fleet Compliance Risks

Fleet compliance isn't just about having policies — it's about consistently enforcing them. This practical guide reveals six hidden compliance risks common in public sector and shared fleet operations and outlines proven strategies to improve visibility, accountability, and audit readiness

Read More →
conference attendees watching a speaker
Safetyby StaffAugust 6, 2026

NETS Sets 2026 Fleet Safety Benchmark Conference for Indianapolis

The Sept. 15–17 program will feature fleet benchmarking data, case studies, emerging technologies, and implementation strategies while running alongside the NSC Safety Congress & Expo.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
NETS crash statistics overlaying an accident photo
Safetyby Chris BrownAugust 5, 2026

Off-the-Job Crashes Account for 43% of Employers’ $61.7 Billion Crash Burden

NETS quantifies costs dispersed across fleet, risk, HR, and other departments while providing new per-crash benchmarks for employers.

Read More →
red ram recall image
Safetyby Faith HowellAugust 3, 2026

Ram Recalls More Than 1.27 Million 1500 Pickups for Seat Belt Anchor Issue

The recall affects certain 2019-2026 Ram 1500 pickups that may have improperly attached second-row seat belt buckle anchors.

Read More →
Promotional graphic for a Utilimarc guide titled How Better Visibility Cut Speeding Violations by 48% featuring a call-to-action to download the guide.
SponsoredJuly 17, 2026

How Better Visibility Cut Speeding Violations by 48%

Fleet leaders don't need more data, they need clearer visibility into what the data is saying. This case study explores how one utility replaced speeding-event counts with a single metric — miles driven in violation — to strengthen safety and significantly reduce speeding violations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Smiling commercial truck driver gives a thumbs-up from inside a tractor cab during Operation Safe Driver Week 2026, highlighting fleet safety, responsible driving and enforcement awareness.
Safetyby Judie NuskeyJuly 16, 2026

Operation Safe Driver Week: Why the Industry's Oldest Safety Campaign Still Matters to Fleets

A look at how a 2007 enforcement initiative became one of the most consequential weeks on the fleet safety calendar, and what it means for your drivers in 2026.

Read More →
Nexar and nauto logos
Safetyby StaffJuly 13, 2026

Nexar-Nauto Merger Aims to Give Fleets Better Safety Intelligence Through Larger Driving Dataset

Stefan Heck tells Automotive Fleet that combining more than 10 billion miles of driving history with Nexar's AI models will give fleets deeper insights into driver risk and roadway conditions than either company could provide independently.

Read More →
A black square with white color font text
SponsoredJuly 2, 2026

From Silos to Solutions: Relationship Management for Safer Fleets

From telematics adoption and driver accountability to policy consistency and risk mitigation, this episode breaks down what it really takes to build a safer fleet culture without slowing business down.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
IIHS HLDI text overlaid on the trunks of pick up trucks.
Safetyby Chris BrownJuly 2, 2026

IIHS Launches First Commercial Vehicle Safety Evaluations

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has begun evaluating heavy-duty pickups and cargo vans for driver protection. Which models earned top marks?

Read More →