Drivers universally agree that the roads are more dangerous these days, but no one believes they are the problem, according to a recent Agency Forward survey from Nationwide.

Eighty percent of personal lines survey respondents rate their own driving as “very good" or “excellent," while only 14% feel the same about other passenger cars. Similarly, over 90% of commercial drivers rate their own driving as “very good" or “excellent." However, only 56% would give the same rating to other commercial vehicle drivers.

The latest driving behavior survey from Nationwide polled personal lines drivers and commercial drivers and revealed that both passenger and commercial drivers partake in risky behaviors that impact all drivers on the road. 

One-third (34%) of commercial drivers admitted they sometimes or often feel distracted behind the wheel. However, nearly two-thirds (60%) of their peers agree that other commercial drivers are looking at their phones more often than they were a year ago, and a similar percentage think others are driving faster than they did a year ago.

The primary causes of distractions for commercial drivers include the use of navigation systems (55%); responding to work text messages (36%); texting or talking on the phone (27%); and using social media (13%). Distractions for personal lines drivers include eating (43%), taking work calls (34%), reading (15%) and doing makeup (15%).

Meanwhile, perceptions of other drivers' distractedness are also high. One of the biggest complaints among those surveyed is the concern that other drivers are looking at their phones more often than they did 12 months ago—92% of personal auto drivers and 80% of commercial drivers say that other drivers are looking at their phones more often.

Additionally, commercial drivers believe that 78% of personal auto drivers and 61% of commercial drivers are driving faster than they did a year ago. And 90% of personal lines drives and 76% of commercial drivers believe that other drivers are more aggressive than in the past.

“Nationwide's telematics driving data shows that drivers take their eyes off the road at least 12 times per day," says Kelly Hernandez, associate vice president, personal lines telematics, Nationwide. “The average distraction for a driver traveling at 45MPH would cover the length of three football fields."

Today, many states are exploring Hands Free legislation as a way to curb distracted driving, with 89% of people supporting legislation in their state to prohibit drivers from holding their cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. 

In another survey, the 2024 Travelers Risk Index, nearly 80% of respondents said inattentive driving is more of a problem now than it has been in past years. Four in 10 drivers have experienced a “near-miss" because of their own distracted driving, and 12% have been in a crash due to their own distraction, according to the survey. Almost one-third of drivers (31%) surveyed report being in a crash due to other drivers' distractions.

“Distraction is one of the leading causes of roadway fatalities, and it continues to have a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities," said Michael Klein, executive vice president and president of personal insurance at Travelers. “Creating safer roadways requires action from each of us, and while the survey results show that people are concerned about distracted driving, they are still unfortunately taking dangerous risks."

Olivia Overman is IA content editor.