MENU
SEARCHNervous motorists are concerned about everything from inclement weather to driving on highways and over bridges, according to new research from Bill Plant Driving School.
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
Driving anxiety is on the rise worldwide — increasing an alarming 84% since 2017, according to new research from Bill Plant Driving School.
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.
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.
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.
Read More →
Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.
Read More →
A two-part conversation with Stefan Heck on how AI is transforming the fight against distracted driving. As fleets adopt smarter tools, the focus shifts from reacting to preventing risk. In Part 1, we look at where AI is making an impact for fleets today.
Read More →
More people on foot means more risk for drivers. These pedestrian safety tips can help prevent serious injuries and keep everyone safer on the road.
Read More →
Safer crews. Fewer incidents. Better uptime. Learn how driver-assist technology is changing the way vocational fleets operate.
Read More →
An 11% drop in pedestrian fatalities in early 2025 signals progress in U.S. road safety, but elevated death rates and ongoing risks underscore the need for continued action from fleets and policymakers.
Read More →
