Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Nearly 90% of Drivers Fiddle with Phones Behind the Wheel

The results are disturbing — many more drivers admitted to engaging in potentially distracting behavior while driving in 2020 than in past years.

May 18, 2021
Nearly 90% of Drivers Fiddle with Phones Behind the Wheel

The results are disturbing — many more drivers admitted to engaging in potentially distracting behavior while driving in 2020 than in past years.

Photo: State Farm

3 min to read


Nine out of 10 motorists (89%) said they engaged in at least one of 14 distracted driving behaviors that involved the use of their phone while behind the wheel, according to a new survey from State Farm.

The range of activities drivers perform on a cell phone while operating a vehicle runs the gamut. For example, 66% said they talk on a hands-free phone, up from 55% in State Farm’s 2015 survey. Some 59% say they program the navigation system while driving and 49% admit to talking on a hand-held phone as compared with 51% for each of those activities in 2015.

Ad Loading...

But it doesn't stop there. Drivers can’t seem to put their phones down and focus on the road. Rather, the latest survey found that 36% update their social media, 32% take photos, 30% record video and 28% play games while behind the wheel.

This is the ninth time State Farm has conducted the survey and the results are disturbing. Overall, many more drivers admitted to engaging in potentially distracting behavior while driving in 2020 than in past years.

The survey also found that certain groups of drivers were more likely to drive distracted. People under age 40 were much more likely than those age 40+ to say they engaged in each of the behaviors studied.

As for the gender breakdown, men were far more likely than women to participate in most of the distracted driving activities.

Noteworthy, survey respondents seem to be aware that engaging in the 14 activities studied causes distraction, which can be dangerous — yet they do so anyway.

Ad Loading...

For instance, 92% of drivers believed reading email while driving was distracting, yet one-third (32%) reported doing it anyway. In addition, nearly three out of five believed manually interacting with a phone while driving greatly increased the likelihood of an auto accident.

The findings also showed that two specific factors increased the likelihood of a driver fiddling with their phone.

Almost half (47%) of drivers surveyed said they had been involved in at least one auto accident as a driver where they had been determined to be at fault or where no fault was established. These individuals were significantly more likely to report participating in distracted behaviors while driving as compared to those who had not been in an accident.

Secondly, motorists who drive vehicles equipped with an advanced safety feature such as Automatic Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, or Lane Keeping Assist, were more likely to report using their phones for various activities. Apparently, these drivers say they feel more comfortable taking their eyes off the road while safety features are active.

What will get drivers to ditch their phones and focus on the task at hand? The almighty dollar, for starters.

Ad Loading...

At least three-quarters of drivers said fines of $500 or more, or license suspensions of six months or longer, would deter them from using their phone while driving. Only 55% said laws, by themselves, were effective deterrents.

More Safety

Ambulance and damaged car at a crash scene on a rainy roadway, illustrating workplace transportation risks and the growing focus on road safety management for fleets.
SafetyJune 16, 2026

Managing Road Risk at Scale: Why Fleet Safety Needs a Data-Driven Framework

Insights from the FIA Road and Driver Safety Indexes reveal how to manage road risk on a larger scale.

Read More →
Close-up of a Jeep Wrangler front grille and headlight with text noting Stellantis’ recall of 1.3 million Jeep vehicles worldwide over a potential fire risk tied to power steering wiring.
Safetyby StaffJune 10, 2026

Stellantis Recalls 1.3 Million Jeep Vehicles Worldwide Over Fire Risk

Stellantis is recalling more than 1.3 million Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models worldwide over a fire risk linked to power steering pump wiring.

Read More →
Road signs pointing to “Safe” and “Risky” beside a glowing AI network graphic, illustrating the role of artificial intelligence in driver safety, coaching, training, and risk management.
SafetyJune 10, 2026

Coaching Is Not Training, Even When AI Is Doing It

AI-powered safety platforms can detect risky behaviors and deliver immediate feedback. But effective driver development still requires a foundation of training followed by coaching that reinforces those skills.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Driver resting in a vehicle seat, illustrating the dangers of fatigue and the importance of driver wellness, rest, and alertness for safe fleet and roadway operations.
Safetyby Judie NuskeyJune 9, 2026

How Emotions Behind the Wheel Can Affect Fleet Safety

During National Safety Month, fleets are encouraged to look beyond distracted driving and recognize how stress, fatigue, and emotional well-being influence driver performance and crash risk.

Read More →
A blue and red Automotive Fleet graphic calling for nominations for the fleet safety award.
Safetyby Faith HowellJune 4, 2026

Nominations Open for 2026 Fleet Safety Award

Nominations have officially opened for the 2026 Fleet Safety Award Winner.

Read More →
wheel geotab image
SponsoredJune 1, 2026

Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter

Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A person holding a clipboard and writing on an inspection checklist beside the wheel of a large white vehicle, likely conducting a fleet or safety inspection.
SponsoredJune 1, 2026

Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-time Prevention

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

Read More →
A Fleet Forward Conference graphic representing the safety symposium.
Safetyby Chris BrownMay 29, 2026

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 →
A person with hands on the steering wheel driving
Safetyby Judie NuskeyMay 15, 2026

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 →
Ad Loading...
Hail covers the windshield and hood of a black vehicle with text overlay about FLASH Weather AI’s new hail prediction model.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseMay 13, 2026

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 →