Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

1 in 3 Drivers Type Texts or Email

Nearly 35% of drivers say they have typed a text message or email while driving, even though 95.6% agreed that the behavior is unacceptable, according to new findings from AAA.

by Staff
April 2, 2018
1 in 3 Drivers Type Texts or Email

Photo via Ellsworth Air Force Base.

2 min to read


Photo via Ellsworth Air Force Base.

Nearly 35% of drivers say they have typed a text message or email while driving, even though 95.6% agreed that the behavior is unacceptable, according to new findings from AAA.

In addition, most drivers (nearly 88%) said that distracted drivers are a bigger problem today than in pervious years, and distracted driving ranked as the top issue of growing concern among those surveyed.

Ad Loading...

The findings came from the AAA Foundation's 2017 Traffic Safety Culture Index that explores driver attitudes and behaviors to safety issues ranging from speeding and seat belt usage to distracted, drowsy and impaired driving. Data was collected from a sample of 2,613 licensed drivers aged 16 and up, who said they have driven in the past month.

Overall, the survey findings conclude that while drivers desire a safer driving experience, they continue to engage in behaviors they recognize as unsafe.

In fact, most drivers (89.3%) reported engaging in at least one of the risky behaviors examined in the survey at least once in the past 30 days. For example, while 92% said that driving through a red light when they could have stopped is unacceptable, 43% admitted to doing so.

Other key findings from the survey include:

  • In addition to distracted driving, respondents cited traffic congestion (74.5%), aggressive drivers (68.1%), drugged drivers (54.9%), and drunk driving (43.4%) as top issues of concern.

  • In the past month, some 60.5% of drivers talked on a hands-free cellphone while 49.1% talked on a hand-held cellphone.

  • Nearly 45% of drivers admitted to reading a text or email while behind the wheel.

  • While only 40.9% of those surveyed support a ban on all cellphone use while driving, the majority (87.6%) support legislation against all texting and emailing, and 73.4% support a ban on handheld cellphone use while driving.

  • Speeding is common, with half of drivers saying they drive 15 mph over the sped limit on freeways while 47.6% drive 10 mph over the limit on residential streets.

  • Over 95% of motorists view drowsy driving as an unacceptable behavior, yet over 30% admit to driving while seriously fatigued at some point in the previous month.

  • The majority of drivers (94.3%) consider driving after drinking alcohol a serious threat to their safety. Yet 20.7% admitted to driving when they thought they had consumed too much alcohol to drive safely.

  • There is very strong support (nearly 80%) for requiring all DWI offenders to use alcohol-ignition interlocks on their vehicles, even for first time offenders.

Ad Loading...

More Safety

A shot of a Volvo electric vehicle with a man charging it in front of a residence.
SponsoredAugust 1, 2026

Top 50 Executive Fleets

It is that time of year again! Time for the 2026 list of the Top 50 Executive Fleets, presented by Automotive Fleet and Volvo as part of its annual Fleet 500. Download now to see this year's list of companies!

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 →
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 →
Ad Loading...
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 →
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 →
Ad Loading...
A blue and white Automotive Fleet podcast logo
SafetyJuly 1, 2026

Reducing Risk by Eliminating Phone Use Behind the Wheel

Hosted with the cofounder of Lifesaver Mobile, this episode addresses phone use behind the wheel and how to design a driving environment that actually helps prevents accidents.

Read More →
Two people sit across from each other at a desk during a business meeting. One person, wearing a white shirt, has their hands folded while the other gestures with a pen toward documents clipped to a clipboard. Additional paperwork and a calculator are visible on the table, suggesting a discussion involving contracts, finances, or administrative paperwork. Sunlight filters through window blinds in the background, creating a professional office setting.
TelematicsJuly 1, 2026

Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-Time Prevention (Part 2 of 2)

Part Two: Commercial auto remains one of the most challenging and costly lines of coverage for fleet operators and insurers alike. Continue learning more about how to effectively address these issues from Onur Aksan, Enterprise Business Development Executive, Geotab

Read More →
An Automotive Fleet podcast thumbnail
SafetyJune 26, 2026

How 5-Second Telematics Data Is Changing Fleet Safety

This episode connects with Steve Santostasi of Ford Pro and covers how a few seconds of data can make a difference in fleet safety.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Technician inspecting a vehicle engine during maintenance as fleets prepare for summer heat, focusing on battery health, cooling systems, and preventing downtime.
Maintenanceby Faith HowellJune 18, 2026

The Two Biggest Summer Downtime Threats for Fleets

A conversation with a maintenance expert reveals the two most common summer maintenance pains and how to prevent them.

Read More →