Survey Says Mature Drivers Catching Up To Phone-Obsessed Youth

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Nov. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The holiday travel season is upon us, and State Farm today released its annual research report on distracted driving, with troubling findings. Though cell phone use and texting while driving remain a serious concern on the nation's highways, with increasing frequency drivers admit to other distracting behaviors, particularly accessing the internet while driving.

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The July 2013, survey of nearly 1000 motorists highlights a growing safety concern: a significant increase in the percentage of drivers who own smart phones, particularly among drivers age thirty and older. Additionally, the percentage of drivers who access the internet on their phone while driving has nearly doubled over the past five years, going up from 13% in 2009 to 24% in 2013.

The survey results also showed the use of hands-free cell phones while driving has increased, while the percentage of people talking on a hand-held cell phone or texting while driving has become stagnant over the past three years.

"As smart phone ownership increases for all age groups, the safety community must ensure we are keeping pace with our understanding of the types of distractions drivers face," said Chris Mullen, Director of Technology Research at State Farm. "Much attention is paid toward reducing texting while driving, but we must also be concerned about addressing the growing use of multiple mobile web services while driving."

While much of the distracted driving focus has been on young people, the data indicate that the percentage of motorists who own smart phones is increasing for all ages:

• Ages 18-29: 78% in 2011 to 86% in 2013
• Ages 30-39: 60% in 2011 to 86% in 2013
• Ages 40-49: 47% in 2011 to 82% in 2013
• Ages 50-64: 44% in 2011 to 64% in 2013
• Ages 65+: 23% in 2011 to 39% in 2013

We asked drivers to share how distracting they find a variety of common occurrences:

• Hand-held cell phone: very distracting – 34%, somewhat distracting – 46%
• Hands-free cell phone: very distracting – 14%, somewhat distracting – 43%
• Sending a text while driving: very distracting - 76%, somewhat distracting – 14%
• Reading a text while driving:  very distracting – 62%, somewhat distracting – 27%
• Talking with a passenger: very distracting – 4%, somewhat distracting – 41%
• Reaching for a non-moving object: very distracting – 22%, somewhat distracting – 62%
• Attending to children in the back seat: very distracting – 41%, somewhat distracting – 29%
• Pet in lap: very distracting – 53%, somewhat distracting – 20%
• Reaching for a moving object: very distracting - 61%, somewhat distracting – 31%

When asked for their opinion on ways to encourage drivers to be more engaged in the task at hand, 74 percent of drivers surveyed strongly agree with laws or regulations prohibiting texting or emailing behind the wheel. However, more than half believe that laws governing cell phone use while driving are enforced to little or no extent. To a lesser degree, 44 percent of survey respondents were extremely likely to support technology that would prevent texting or emailing on a cell phone while driving.

"State Farm continues to support a multi-pronged approach to encouraging more engaged driving," Mullen said. "Legislation, enforcement, education and technology all have a role to play in making our roads safer for all who share them."

About the survey:
In August 2009 and 2010, and in July 2011, 2012 and 2013, The State Farm Strategic Resources Department used an outside panel vendor to conduct an online survey of U.S. consumers ages 18+. Survey responses were received from approximately 1,000 consumers each year, who identified themselves as having some insurance and financial responsibility for their household.

Only responses from consumers who had a valid driver's license, owned a cell phone, and reported driving between 1 and 80 hours per week were used when reporting the findings of behavior-based questions. Responses from all respondents were used for the attitudinal questions.

State Farm Consumer Consultants is an online community sponsored by the State Farm Strategic Resources Department and managed by Communispace. The 300 Consumer Consultants participants are influential, involved, activist consumers, who offer advice and perspective on a range of insurance and financial services topics. Opinions voiced may not be representative of all consumers. However, the comments can provide insight into how consumers feel about the topic at hand.

About State Farm^®:
State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. and is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 18,000 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts – more than 79 million auto, home, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 44 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca.
along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 44 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca.

SOURCE State Farm

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