Volvo, the company that hopes to eliminate deaths and serious injury in its cars by 2020, conducted a study with The Harris Poll focusing on distracted driving.
In today’s always-on culture, distractions are on the rise – and especially true among younger Gen Zs, more than half of whom say their level of distraction is impacting focus and productivity. As a result, many are looking to regain control of the incessant interruptions. 64% of Americans say they are actively trying to minimize distractions, and the top place they’re looking to do so is on the road. Cars are a top source of solace, with “driving in silence” being the number one action taken overall to minimize distractions (33%).
The culprits aren’t who you think
What is surprising though is the group who uses their phones the most behind the wheel. Despite identifying higher levels of distraction overall, Gen Zs report being more likely to focus on the road than their parents. Gen X and millennial drivers are the most likely to say they use their phones behind the wheel (81%), while Gen Z drivers fall more even with Young Boomers (71% and 72%, respectively).
In fact, parents with children under 18 in the household are among the most likely to use their phones while driving, whether they are at a stoplight (95%, compared to 90% overall), driving alone (87%, compared to 80%) or driving with a passenger (75%, compared to 66%). Even more surprising, the situation in which parents are most likely to surpass the general public in using their phones while driving is when they have their kids in the car (62%, compared to 38% overall). For some, this is not only an infrequent, emergency-based need: one-third (32%) admit they often use their phone while driving with kids.
