The auto insurance market is in distress. Most notably, rates are rising, which is being driven by increases in claims severity and frequency due to inflation, worker shortages and supply chain disruption.

While these factors have cumulated over the past few years, an already prevalent—yet just as impactful—phenomenon continues to impact the auto insurance space: distracted driving.

Since April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, here is a collection of findings from recent studies that reveal the true extent of distracted driving in 2023:

1) Dog days are here. An overwhelming 91% of drivers who drove with their dog over the past 12 months interacted with them while on the road, according to new data from Selective Insurance. On top of that, nearly half (48%) of drivers admit that they are more distracted when their pet is in the vehicle than when it isn't.

The study also found that in the past 12 months, of drivers who own dogs, more than one-third (36%) gave their dog food, treats, or water while driving; over a quarter (27%) of drivers have taken a photo or video of their pooch; and nearly one-quarter (23%) revealed that they held their pet in place all while driving.

While these distractions may seem minimal, almost 1 in 10 drivers (9%) have gotten into a car accident as a result of having their dog in their vehicle, the study found.

2) Smile—you're on camera. Unsafe driving is on the rise and Generation Z and millennials aren't letting off the gas, according to a new Nationwide Agency Forward study, which unveiled some frightening driving habits from some of the youngest drivers on the road: Gen Z.

Unfortunately, 34% of Gen Z admitted that they video chatted while driving, according to the study, which also found that 59% of Gen Z say they are more impatient on the road than a year ago and 47% agree they are driving faster.

It's not just younger drivers making the roads unsafe, though. Of all drivers surveyed, 54% admit to driving 10 or more mph above the speed limit, 56% have eaten while driving and 12% said they have used or checked social media while driving. What's worse, 7% have watched a movie while driving. A movie! 

“The trends we're seeing are not heading in the right direction," said Beth Riczko, president, p&c personal lines at Nationwide. “This unnecessary multitasking behind the wheel is not worth the risk and drivers create danger for themselves, the passengers, others on the road, and even pedestrians."

3) Work, work, crash. Emotional distraction, drowsiness and work-related stress all play significant roles in unsafe driving behaviors, according to the 2023 Travelers Risk Index on distracted driving. Specifically, 37% of workers surveyed said that they have taken work-related calls, texts or emails while driving. When asked why, 44% said that it might be a work-related emergency, and 43% responded that they felt the need to always be available.

Further, more than 75% of drivers said that they have experienced stress or intense emotions while behind the wheel, and 62% said that they have driven while drowsy. Notably, 70% of survey respondents said that they believe distracted driving is more of a problem now than it has been over the past few years. That finding is underscored by estimates from the National Safety Council, which show that deaths due to preventable traffic crashes in 2022 increased by 18% compared with pre-pandemic levels.

“Driving is a series of microdecisions made in quick succession throughout the course of a trip," said Chris Hayes, assistant vice president of workers compensation and transportation, risk control, at Travelers. “Any type of distraction—a device, a sleepless night or stress—can make the difference between reaching your destination safely or not."

“We can all help make our roads safer by taking simple steps, such as putting our phones in 'Do Not Disturb' mode, speaking up when we see a driver engaging in dangerous behaviors and not calling co-workers when we know that they're behind the wheel," he added.

4) Weekend getaway. Preoccupied driving takes place more often on the days that people are commuting and when traffic tends to be heavier, according to a new study by Arity, a mobility data and analytics company founded by Allstate in 2016, called “Crash course: The state of distracted driving in the U.S."

“On Sundays, when fewer drivers are on the road than on any other day, drivers tend to take a break from their phones," the study said. “They drive faster, focus more, and do less distracted driving. Higher speeds necessitate more attentive driving."

Additionally, “distracted driving tends to be lowest in mid-summer, when people are driving faster; factors could include lighter traffic due to school closures in the summer," the study said. “In late fall and early winter, when people are driving more slowly—sometimes due to rain or snow—distraction tends to increase."

The study also found that distracted driving has increased by 30% in the last four years.

Will Jones is IA editor-in-chief.