Recent research from Rutgers University found that one in six drivers ages 18 to 25 admitted to using a phone while driving drowsy.
by Staff
June 29, 2016
Photo courtesy of Rutgers Today.
1 min to read
Photo courtesy of Rutgers Today.
A recent Rutgers University study found that one in six young drivers — ranging in age from 18 to 25 — reported they had used their phones behind the wheel while feeling sleepy.
The research project, which relied on responses from 110 undergraduate commuters, also found that 80% of those surveyed said they used a cell phone with the speaker on while driving. About two-thirds of respondents admitted they still held the phone with one hand using the speaker mode while driving.
Ad Loading...
Drivers 25 and under are particularly at risk for such behavior because they’re more likely to report having fallen asleep behind the wheel and more likely to text while driving than any other age group.
The next step in the study is to take a deeper look at the data to see how many drivers reported engaging in multiple risky behaviors simultaneously.
Derek Shendell, an associate professor at Rutgers School of Public Health, supervised the study. Amber Gourdine and Sonia Lee, who have since graduated, conducted the research.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
