Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Driving Anxiety Up 84% Since 2017

Nervous motorists are concerned about everything from inclement weather to driving on highways and over bridges, according to new research from Bill Plant Driving School.

February 3, 2022
Driving Anxiety Up 84% Since 2017

New research based on Google search volumes finds driving in the snow to be the leading cause of anxiety behind the wheel.

Photo by https://freestocks.org/Pexels

2 min to read


Driving anxiety is on the rise worldwide — increasing an alarming 84% since 2017, according to new research from Bill Plant Driving School.

Ad Loading...

The research team derived the data by looking at the number of Google searches for driving anxiety. The team found the number of searches rose steadily for four years, growing from 4,400 searches a month in November 2017 to 8,100 currently.

Ad Loading...

Moreover, searches for driving anxiety peaked between the months of March and August of 2021 when they stood at 9,900 a month.

The biggest cause for worries behind the wheel is weather. Search results show driving in snow was the top concern, followed by rain.

Photo courtesy of Bill Plant Driving School

The researchers also explored the various causes for jitters behind the wheel. Inclement weather appears to be the leading cause for worries at the wheel with driving in the snow ranking first with a search volume of almost 113,000. That was followed by driving in the rain, which generated some 59,200 Google searches.

Other common reasons for driving anxiety that ranked among the top five include the fear of having a panic attack while driving, which had a search volume of nearly 20,000. Fear of driving on highways ranked fourth, generating 9,420 Google searches, and fear of driving over bridges came in fifth with a search volume of 5,170.

Interestingly, fear of driving at night was not at the top of the list, coming in 14th place out of 20 common reasons. Yet, despite 60% less traffic on the roads, experts say more than 40% of all fatal car accidents in the U.S. occur at night.

More Safety

Two AEB test cars drive toward one another
Safety•by News/Media Release•November 13, 2026

AAA Testing Finds Gaps in Intersection AEB Crash Prevention

Testing of four 2026 model-year vehicles found that automatic emergency braking prevented collisions in standardized intersection scenarios, but three vehicles failed to avoid crashes when another vehicle turned into their path.

Read More →
A blurred SUV travels along a mountain highway at sunset beneath the message “Good Data Doesn’t Automatically Mean a Safer Fleet” from Automotive Fleet magazine.
Safety•by Faith Howell•November 6, 2026

Which Fleet Types Have the Highest Severe Speeding Rates?

New research from SambaSafety finds significant differences in speeding rates across fleet industries, even as nearly 90% of surveyed fleets report using telematics.

Read More →
A computer and pad lock with "Cyberattack Contingency Plan" text overlay
Safety•by Jeanny Abraham•November 6, 2026

When a Cyberattack Hits Your Fleet: What Happens Next?

“You have two opportunities to test your plans: when you choose or when the threat actor chooses.” A cybersecurity expert reveals what fleet managers need to know before a cyberattack puts their operations at risk — and why the decisions made in the first moments can shape the entire recovery.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Safe Driving on Halloween over spooky fall road
Safety•by Staff•October 25, 2026

Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night

This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.

Read More →
a crash test dummy in a car
Safety•by Jeanny Abraham•October 22, 2026

IIHS Crash Avoidance Tests Reveal Safety Gaps in Cargo Vans and Work Trucks

New IIHS crash avoidance ratings show uneven performance among cargo vans and heavy-duty pickups, with most struggling to avoid vehicle-to-vehicle collisions.

Read More →
AN AF news recap thumbnail
Safety•by Faith Howell•October 16, 2026

What’s Next for Fleet? Safety, AI & Industry Recognition | AF News Recap

Could your company's culture be encouraging distracted driving? This week, we're exploring how workplace expectations affect driver safety, what AI, EVs, and autonomous vehicles could mean for the future of fleet management, and how fleet professionals can strengthen their award nominations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
a man driving with a cell phone in his hand.
Safety•by Jeanny Abraham•October 14, 2026

Does Your Fleet's Culture Encourage Distracted Driving?

What happens when the people responsible for enforcing safety rules are the ones setting the wrong example? The answer may reveal why some of the biggest risks to fleet drivers have little to do with what's written in the employee handbook.

Read More →
Motorq Whitepaper Cover - Fleet Managers Ultimate Playbook
Sponsored•October 1, 2026

Fleet Manager’s Ultimate Playbook: Navigating the New Standard in OEM Connectivity

Rising operating costs, driver safety concerns, and unplanned downtime are putting unprecedented pressure on modern fleets. Discover how fleet managers use embedded OEM connectivity and real-time vehicle data to cut TCO, prevent downtime, and protect drivers without aftermarket telematics hardware.

Read More →
An AF news recap thumbnail with a woman pointing at the title "From driver well-being to EV charging"
Safety•by Faith Howell•September 21, 2026

From Driver Well-Being to EV Charging | AF News Recap

Mental health belongs in the fleet safety conversation. This week, we’re looking at five ways fleets can support employee well-being before a crisis, plus Holman’s expansion in Mexico, new one-day Fleet Forward passes, and why EV charging demand is outpacing infrastructure growth.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Nexar and nauto logos
Safety•by Staff•September 15, 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 →