Distracted Driving Study: Education and Enforcement Critical to Curbing Distracted Driving

October 2014

Quick Facts:

• Opt-in survey administered on DMV.com between May and July 2014

• 3,988 participants

• Survey was completed by users in all 50 states and DC

• For state-level demographics or raw data from the survey results, please contact Jason@dmvmedia.com

Executive Summary

• There is a significant need to educate older drivers about the penalties of distracted driving. 60% of drivers under 18 know the distracted driving laws in their state compared to 30% of drivers 55 or older

• Although 90% of respondents believed texting and driving was as bad or worse than intoxicated driving, 348% more motorists admitted to texting and driving compared to those who admitted to driving under the influence

• Consistency in legislating and enforcing distracted driving laws is critical. While 76% of respondents know it is illegal to text and drive in their state, 50% either don’t know or believe it is legal to talk on your phone without hands-free technology in their state

Gender Demographics

2,159 females (54%) and 1,829 males (46%) took part in the distracted driving survey

Age Demographics

6%

12%

15%

34%

19%

14%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

Under 18 18-24 25-34 35-54 55-64 65 and older

Ethnicity Demographics

68%

6%

10%

10%

1%

5%

Caucasian

Asian/Pacific Islander

African American

Hispanic/Latino

Native American

Other

How Frequently Do You Do The Following While Driving?*

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Text Message

Use Your Phone Without Hands-free Technology

Eat or Drink (non-alcoholic)

Grooming

Watch Video

Use GPS Without Hands-free Technology

Drive While Intoxicated

Multiple Times a Day At Least Once a Day At Least Once a Week At Least Once a Month At Least Once a Year Less Than Once a Year Never

*please see detailed statics on the final slide for more information

Texting vs. Phone Use vs. DUI

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Text Message Use Phone Without Hands-free Technology Drive While Intoxicated

Multiple Times a Day At Least Once a Day At Least Once a Week At Least Once a Month

At Least Once a Year Less Than Once a Year Never

Despite 90% of respondents stating that distracted driving is as bad or worse than drinking and driving, 348% more respondents admitted to texting and driving and 554% admitted to using the phone and driving compared to driving

while intoxicated.

Do You Know if it is Illegal to Text Message While Driving in Your State?

76%

18%

6%

I know it is legal I know it is illegal I do not know if it is legal

Although 76% of people are aware that it is illegal to read or send texts while driving, 35% of people at least occasionally engage in the practice, suggesting stiffer penalties and more rigid enforcement may be necessary

to curb distracted driving.

Do You Know if it is Illegal to Talk on Your Phone Without Using Hands-free Technology in your State?

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

I know it is illegal I know it is legal I don't know if it is legal

50%

23%

27%

There is a significant need for a more comprehensive and inclusive ban on cell phone use nation-wide. Despite awareness of the dangers, inconsistent legislation and education at the state-level is creating confusion

amongst drivers nationwide.

Do You Know What the Penalties are for Texting and Driving in Your State?

Better educating motorists is critical to eliminating texting and driving. Only 38% of survey respondents are aware of the distracted driving laws in their state.

More Effort Needed to Educate Older Drivers about Distracted Driving

60%56%

46%

35%

30% 29%

40%44%

54%

65%70% 71%

UNDER 18 18-24 25-34 35-54 55-64 65 AND OLDER

Do You Know the Penalties for Texting and Driving in Your State?

Yes No

There is a direct correlation between the age of the driver and their awareness of distracted driving laws. Motorists who have grown up with distracted driving laws since starting to drive are much more aware of the penalties than older drivers.

What’s Worse: Driving While Intoxicated or Driving While Texting?

10%

84%

6%

Driving while Intoxicated They are equally as bad Driving while Texting

Although most respondents agree that texting and driving is as bad or worse than driving while intoxicated, there is significantly less social stigma attached to texting and driving. Harsher penalties and stronger enforcement may

be critical to reducing distracted driving on U.S. roadways

What do you Think Causes More Deaths per Year?

72%

38%

Distracted Driving Driving while Intoxicated

Despite 72% of respondents believing that distracted driving causes more deaths per year, they were still over five times more likely to drive distracted than drive while intoxicated

What do you Think Causes More Property Damage per Year?

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Distracted Driving Driving while Intoxicated

73%

27%

Do you Feel Like you can Drive Safely While Using Your Phone to Call or Text Message?

Although 84% of respondents admit that they can’t drive safely while texting or calling and driving, 35% admitted to at least occasionally texting and driving while 51% admitted to occasionally using their

phones without hands-free technology

How Frequently Do You Do The FollowingMultiple

Times per Day

At LeastOnce a

Day

At LeastOnce a Week

At leastOnce a Month

At LeastOnce a

Year

Less ThanOnce a Year

Never Total

Text Message 135 194 249 257 148 206 2,242 3,431

Use Phone Without Hands-Free Technology

217 261 396 428 214 218 1,697 3,431

Eat or Drink (Non-alcoholic)

226 437 700 688 277 179 924 3,431

Grooming 38 62 107 108 96 178 2,842 3,431

Watch video 40 32 35 38 32 96 3,158 3,431

Use a Navigation System or GPS

Without Hands-Free

90 104 260 447 326 194 2,010 3,431

DUI 16 10 13 33 55 138 3,166 3,431