But here’s the good news: while today’s parents may be worried, they’re getting proactive about helping their kids become better drivers and are better equipped to take action.   

What Keeps Parents Up at Night? 
Parents’ top worries are as familiar as they are frightening: driving in poor weather (52%), distracted driving (42%), and speeding or reckless behavior (36%). And the risks are real. Nearly one in four parents say their teen uses social media or even get themselves ready (apply makeup, style hair) while driving. Some report their teens are texting (23%) or watching videos (18%) behind the wheel—behaviors that dramatically increase crash risk.  

Safety Starts at Home 
The survey also reveals that 95% of parents talk to their teens about safe driving at least once a month. When those conversations are paired with real-time insights and incentives, they become even more powerful.  

And while only 26% of teens currently use dashcams, a whopping 96% of parents believe they’re valuable for promoting accountability. As comfort with AI-enabled monitoring grows, families are embracing a future where technology supports—not replaces—good judgment.  

Using Technology to Support Safer Teen Driving  
Families can use telematics tools not just to monitor, but to actively support safer driving habits. Nationwide programs like SmartRide and the new Focused Driving Rewards are great tools to help parents encourage their teen driver with real-time feedback and incentives.   

“Parents want to feel confident that their teens are making smart choices behind the wheel,” says Casey Kempton, President of P&C Personal Lines at Nationwide. “These tools help make that possible—not just by monitoring behavior, but by encouraging better habits through positive reinforcement.”  

How the Programs Work 
SmartRide® tracks behaviors like hard braking, speeding, and phone use. It provides real-time feedback and can lead to insurance premium discounts for safe habits. The goal is to help teens learn from their driving experiences and build safer habits over time.  

Focused Driving Rewards®, a newer initiative, is open to all drivers—not just Nationwide customers. It’s designed to reduce phone-related distractions and reward safe driving with e-gift cards from popular retailers.  

Why It Matters 
Research shows that many drivers are open to rewards-based programs. The survey revealed 70% of all consumers would consider joining a rewards-based driving program, with half (50%) citing saving money on insurance as their top motivator. For parents, the emotional stakes are higher—44% say their primary reason is to improve their teen’s safety. In fact, 82% of parents say they’d be likely to enroll their teens in a program that rewards safe driving behavior.  

The Road Ahead 
Teen driving will always come with risks. But today’s families have more tools, more data, and more ways to stay connected than ever before. By combining open communication with smart technology, parents can shift from fear to confidence—one safe mile at a time.  

“This isn’t just about technology,” Kempton says. “It’s about creating a culture of accountability and shared responsibility on the road.”  

Want to help your teen become a safer driver? 
Explore Nationwide’s driving tools and resources here.  

Nationwide’s April 2025 survey, which polled both personal drivers and company drivers, offers insurers, agents and fleet managers a full-spectrum view of roadway behavior in 2025.

Driving feels more dangerous today, but people feel their own cell phone use is acceptable
Compared to last year, roughly 9 in 10 consumers feel other motorists are using their phones more behind the wheel (92%), driving faster (92%), more aggressive (92%) and more reckless (88%).

Given these worries, only 15% of consumers rate other motorists around them as “very good” or “excellent” drivers, but 8 in 10 rate their own driving highly.

However, these beliefs fly in the face of their own risky behaviors on the roads:

• 20% admit to texting while driving
• 15% use social media
• 13% are watching videos
• 11% are reading or writing emails

Phones aren’t the only devices stealing drivers’ attention on the roads.

• Nearly half (47%, a 6-point increase from 2024) also express concerns that built-in touchscreens and displays designed for navigation, communication and entertainment contribute to driver distraction.

“Far too many people believe they’re immune to distraction or that a ‘quick check’ won’t hurt,” says Casey Kempton, Nationwide’s president of Personal Lines. “Our latest survey data clearly reveals that these split-second decisions can have serious consequences. Nationwide is committed to driver safety and, no matter the use, a phone in the hand while driving is a dangerous distraction.” 

Explore the full personal lines findings here.

As risks mount, 7 in 10 company drivers worry about death, injury or lawsuits on work routes
The research also found that while company drivers routinely dodge distracted motorists on their work routes, many also confess to risky behaviors behind the wheel that could lead to dangerous and costly accidents. As roads become more dangerous, 70% of company drivers say they worry about being killed or hurt in a collision, or being held liable for the damages.

In line with consumers, 89% of company drivers rate their own driving as good or excellent, but less than 60% say the same of other drivers.

While 75% of company drivers believe that the use of phones by other motorists has increased over the past year, at least 1 in 5 company drivers (21%) also admit to frequent distractions while driving for work. These distractions mainly include adjusting their GPS systems, using cell phones (calls, texts and social media), eating or drinking, and fiddling with their radio or music.  

Staffing shortages may also be fueling riskier behaviors. Four in 10 drivers (44%, a 5-point increase from 2024) say their employer is struggling to hire or retain qualified drivers, a challenge that’s leading to:

• Increased workloads (72%, +11 points)
• Longer driving hours (71%, +13 points)
• Difficulty meeting deadlines (57%, +10 points)
• Decreased training quality (54%, +15 points)
• Reduced focus on safety (49%, +15 points)

These added pressures are showing up behind the wheel as 53% regularly take work phone calls and roughly a quarter are reading/responding to work text messages (28%) or emails (24%) while driving. Notably, this number clashes with the 1 in 5 company drivers who admit to feeling distracted while driving, suggesting that many respondents participate in these risky behaviors but may not actually perceive them as leading to distractions – a significant and dangerous perception gap. Even more alarming, 41% of drivers believe staffing shortages have negatively impacted their own driving, a 20-point increase from 2024.

“Company drivers are overwhelmed, distracted and in many cases, worried. When nearly half say staffing shortages are affecting their driving, and 70% fear serious consequences from a crash, it’s a clear signal that fleet drivers are under stress,” said Mark McGhiey, Risk Management and Client Services leader at Nationwide. “While comprehensive fleet safety programs are critical for all employers with drivers, this isn’t just about better planning or stricter rules; it’s about building a culture of safety that supports drivers through robust training, smarter tools, and a commitment to their wellbeing every time they start the engine.”

Access the full commercial driver findings here.

Modern problems are calling for smarter solutions
Both employers and insurers are turning to innovative tools to help drivers stay focused and safe. Nationwide’s research shows that technology like dash cams, telematics and hands-free policies are gaining significant traction and reshaping how drivers and companies manage risk.

On the commercial side, fleet operators are making meaningful strides with tools like dash cams, hands-free policies and ongoing driver monitoring.

• Dash cam usage among company drivers has jumped 29 points year-over-year, now installed in 84% of work vehicles.
• Nearly two-thirds of drivers say their employer requires them, and more companies are also enforcing hands-free policies (44%) and using continuous motor vehicle record monitoring (71%) to proactively address risk. 

For personal drivers, although only 20% currently use dash cams, drivers overwhelmingly agree the right tools can make a measurable difference.

• Nationwide has launched Focused Driver Rewards^®* – a first of its kind program that rewards all drivers, regardless of their insurer, for reducing phone use while driving. The mobile app tracks phone handling events and allows participants to earn gift cards – up to $60 every six months – for staying focused on the road. In a recent pilot program, nearly half of participants improved their driving focus, with distractions dropping by an average of 48%.

“The path forward is clear: smarter, data-driven solutions are key to building safer roads and more confident drivers,” said Kempton. “It will take continued collaboration between insurers, employers and everyday drivers to turn these insights into impact.”

^{Methodology:
Nationwide commissioned Edelman Data & Intelligence (DXI) to conduct a nationally representative online survey of 1,000 general consumers and 400 commercial drivers** from March 5-18, 2025.} 

^{*Focused Driving Rewards is not currently available in AK, CA, FL, HI, LA, MA, NY or OK.  Drivers 29 years and younger can earn up to $60 every 6 months. Drivers 30 years and older can earn $2.50 every 2 weeks, up to $30 every 6 months. Focused Driving Rewards is not insurance and does not require the purchase of a policy or a quote. Participation is optional and subject to terms and conditions. Nationwide may terminate the program at any time.}

^{**Commercial driver audience does not include long-haul trucking, tow trucks, app-based delivery drivers (e.g., DoorDash), or large corporate delivery drivers (FedEx, Amazon, UPS, etc.)}

Phones continue to distract 
While most drivers are familiar with distracted driving laws—such as texting restrictions (81%), hands-free requirements (76%), handheld phone bans (74%), and related penalties (67%)—many remain skeptical about their impact. In fact, fewer than half (48%) believe these regulations are effective in reducing distracted driving behaviors. 

“Far too many people believe they’re immune to distraction or that a ‘quick check’ won’t hurt,” says Casey Kempton, Nationwide’s President of Personal Lines. “Our latest survey data clearly reveals that these split-second decisions can have serious consequences. Nationwide is committed to driver safety, a phone in the hand while driving is a dangerous distraction.” 

Phones aren’t the only devices that are taking drivers’ attention off the road. Nearly half (47% up +6% from 2024) of consumers also express concerns that built-in touch screens and displays designed for navigation, communication, and entertainment actually contribute significantly to driver distraction. 

When used correctly tech can be a solution for safer driving 
While the data highlights the pervasive nature of distraction, it also points to solutions.  

Drivers who take conscious steps to limit phone use and other temptations can meaningfully reduce their likelihood of accidents. The Nationwide survey also shows growing consumer support for telematics tools like dashcams and AI-enabled monitoring systems to encourage safer driving behavior: 

• 85% of consumers agree dashcams encourage safer driving practices. 
• 94% of consumers say dashcams provide valuable evidence during accidents or disputes, including rideshare contexts.  
• 20% already have dashcams installed, and 60% indicate comfort with AI-enabled dashcams that monitor driver behaviors.  
• 41% believe using AI-powered dashcams should qualify drivers for lower insurance premiums. 

Nationwide’s ‘Focused Driving Rewards®’ Can Encourage Safer Habits 
To help combat these issues, Nationwide is introducing the new Focused Driving Rewards (FDR) program*, a first-of-its-kind initiative that rewards all drivers, both existing Nationwide members and non-customers, for reducing phone use behind the wheel.  

Key details include: 

• App-Based Participation: The program is managed through the Nationwide app, with participants earning points redeemable for gift cards when they avoid distractions over time. 
• Rewards Pilot Success: Preliminary results from an FDR pilot program suggests that about half of approximately 1,000 driver participants saw their distraction levels decrease—and for those who improved, distractions dropped by an average of 48%. 
• No Strings Attached: FDR is open to everyone, not just Nationwide customers, and offers up to $60 every six months in gift cards for those that keep their focus on the roads while driving. 
• Simplicity & Focus: The program only considers phone handling events (like tapping, hand-held calls, or phone motion), making it an easy way to try out a telematics experience and be rewarded for improved focus. 

“We believe that putting your phone down while driving can save lives and make roads safer and we’re willing to reward people for it,” says Kelly Hernandez, Nationwide’s AVP of Personal Lines Telematics. “With Focused Driving Rewards, we’re offering an incentive that’s simple, and open to all, because every driver on the road has a stake in making our communities safer.” 

Addressing driver distraction goes beyond a single solution—it requires awareness, commitment, and action on the part of everyone behind the wheel. Through personalized feedback on phone distractions and rewarding safe habits, Nationwide hopes to spark a shift in mindset that will help reduce distractions. 

For more information on Nationwide’s Focused Driving Rewards program click here or download the Nationwide mobile app to get started—also visit the distracted driving resource center for additional resources.   

Methodology 
Nationwide commissioned Edelman Data & Intelligence (DXI) to conduct a nationally representative online survey of 1,000 general consumers and 400 commercial drivers from March 5-18, 2025. 

*Focused Driving Rewards is not currently available in AK, CA, FL, HI, LA, MA, NY or OK.  Drivers 29 years and younger can earn up to $60 every 6 months. Drivers 30 years and older can earn $2.50 every 2 weeks, up to $30 every 6 months. Focused Driving Rewards is not insurance and does not require the purchase of a policy or a quote. Participation is optional and subject to terms and conditions. Nationwide may terminate the program at any time.

State of the roadways:

• 89% of company drivers rate their own driving as good or excellent, but less than 60% say the same of other drivers on the road.
• At least 1 in 5 company drivers (21%) admit to being frequently distracted while driving for work—the most common distractions being GPS systems, cell phone use (calls, texts, social media), eating or drinking, and adjusting their radio or music.
• But it’s not just them: compared to a year ago, company drivers think other motorists are using their phones more behind the wheel (69%) and driving faster (66%) and more aggressive (70%) today.
• Employees may also be feeling work pressures: 53% are regularly taking work phone calls and roughly a quarter are reading/responding to work texts (28%) or emails (24%) while driving.
  • Another 40% are frequently taking personal phone calls behind the company wheel.

Staffing shortages and safety effects:
Staffing shortages are likely contributing to the challenges drivers are facing, leading to heavier workloads and heightened safety concerns as 4 in 10 drivers say their company is struggling to hire or retain qualified drivers. This year’s data revealed a 10-point jump across the board in drivers who say staffing shortages have increased their workload (72%), required them to work longer hours (71%), made it harder to meet deadlines (57%), decreased the quality of training (54%) and reduced the focus on safety and compliance (49%).

• 48% also report that their employer has reduced hiring criteria due to talent shortages.
• And most concerning: 41% of drivers say the staffing shortages have negatively impacted their driving.

Increased use of dash cams and hands-free policies:
Many employers are adopting proactive measures to minimize dangerous behaviors and phone distractions among fleet drivers, but there are still opportunities to further enhance safety initiatives. Implementation of dash cam requirements and hands-free driving policies have grown significantly in the past 12 months, but enforcement of those policies varies.

• 84% of company drivers have a dash cam installed in their work vehicle – a 29-point year over year increase that signals a growing commitment to improve driver behavior, reduce liability and improve overall fleet safety.
  • Nearly two-thirds (65%) say their employer requires a dash cam (+27 points) while a quarter say they’re just encouraged and 10% don’t feel any pressure to use one.
• 44% of company drivers report that their employer enforces a hands-free driving policy and monitors their cell phone usage while driving – a 10-point increase from last year.
  • 24% have a hands-free policy but don’t monitor cell phone usage
  • 22% do not allow cell phone use at all while driving
  • 10% don’t have any form of policy or monitoring in place
• 71% also report their employer uses continuous motor vehicle record monitoring, such as SambaSafety.

"The sharp rise in dash cam usage and hands-free policies sends a clear message: employers are serious about tackling distractions and protecting their drivers,” said Mark McGhiey, risk management and client services leader at Nationwide. “With at least 1 in 5 drivers admitting to frequent distractions behind the wheel, and the industry’s belief that this number may be even higher, it’s clear that policy alone isn't enough—consistent driver engagement and training is crucial to turning these efforts into safer roads for everyone.”

Training can help ease concerns:
With collision concerns top of mind, 69% of company drivers fear that a crash will affect their employer’s reputation or their future job prospects. About 1 in 5 (19%) also say their employer has faced legal action in the past due to a driving-related incident. 

While 87% feel their management prioritizes driver safety, 8 in 10 also wish for more training to help prevent accidents.

• Most employers offer training around critical driving safety topics, but at least 3 in 10 do not.
  • Driving in adverse weather – 69%
  • Distracted driving – 67%
  • Preventing accidents and collisions – 67%
  • Proper following distance – 65%
  • Drowsy and fatigued driving – 61%

"In today's challenging driving environment, it's essential to have a comprehensive fleet safety program that ensures qualified and attentive drivers,” said McGhiey. “Enforcing hands-free policies and mobile phone monitoring, along with leveraging technologies like fleet telematics, can significantly reduce risky and dangerous driving habits. And when drivers see their employers taking proactive steps to reduce accidents through technology, policies and training, they may feel more protected—and more likely to stay. Partnering with an agent and carrier who understand your operations and vehicle usage, and can offer a customized insurance package along with risk mitigation advice, is essential for success.”

For more resources and training solutions for commercial drivers, visit Nationwide’s Driver Safety page.

Methodology:
Edelman Data and Intelligence (DXI) conducted a national online survey of 400 commercial drivers* from March 5 to March 19, 2025. As a member in good standing with The Insights Association and ESOMAR, Edelman DXI conducts all research in accordance with local, national and international laws and in line with all Market Research Standards and Guidelines.

*Note: Commercial driver audience does not include long-haul trucking, tow trucks, app-based delivery drivers (e.g. DoorDash), or large corporate delivery drivers (FedEx, Amazon, UPS, etc.)