Skip to main content

Study says Internet use while driving is on the rise

texting while drivingThe proliferation of smartphones and smartphone-friendly cars is apparently having an effect. A study released by insurance giant State Farm says 48 percent of drivers between the ages of 18 and 29 use the Internet while driving, up from 29 percent in 2009, and that all age groups are using the Internet more when they get behind the wheel.

In July 2012, State Farm surveyed about 1,000 people who drive at least one hour a week and own a smartphone.

State Farm compared its 2012 results against other studies it did in 2009, 2010, and 2011 and found that drivers under the age of 30 are more likely to divide their attention between the road and the web.

Specifically, young drivers seem to be checking their e-mail and using social media while driving more than before. The number of younger drivers checking their social media status behind the wheel jumped from 21 percent in 2009 to 36 percent in 2012. The number of respondents who also update their status increased from 20 percent in 2009 to 30 percent in 2011.

The number of drivers under the age of 30 checking their e-mail while driving increased from 32 percent in 2009 in to 43 percent in 2012.

The study also showed that internet usage is increasing among all age groups. Overall internet use while driving rose from 13 percent in 2009 to 21 percent in 2012. Among all age groups, 15 percent of respondents said they check their social media status while driving, compared to 9 percent in 2009, and 13 percent update their status, up from 9 percent in 2009.

State governments and State Farm itself have advocated curbing phone use while driving as a matter of safety and, interestingly, so have the drivers in the study.

When asked how they would reduce distracted driving, 72 percent of respondents said they strongly agree with “laws or regulations prohibiting texting or e-mailing behind the wheel.” In addition, 45 percent said they would support technology that would eliminate texting or talking on a phone while driving.

Almost two-thirds of respondents said they believe current laws restricting phone use while driving are under-enforced, or not enforced at all.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, around 3,000 deaths from distraction-related crashes occur in the United States every year. It says phone use was reported in 18 percent of these incidents.

If this study’s findings really are indicative of the way people use and view their smartphones, we could be living in a technological state of nature, with people clamoring for civilizing laws to save them from their own base desires. Or maybe they could just put their phones down when they’re on the road.

Editors' Recommendations

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Rivian R2 vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Will the R2 be a better buy?
Side of the Rivian R2

The Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it could end up being the go-to EV for drivers who want a decently affordable electric car with a rugged look and feel. But when it finally launches to the public, it won't be the only option in its price range -- the Ford Mustang Mach-E could be one of its main competitors.

The Mustang Mach-E may not be quite as rugged-feeling as the Rivian R2, but it does have a lot going for it -- like an increasingly low price, sleek design, and comfortable interior. Is one of these EVs better than the other? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The first thing to note about the two cars is their design, as they’re pretty different. The Rivian R2 is built to be a little more rugged and outdoorsy, while the Mach-E instead has a sleeker and sportier look to it. Both cars look stylish and modern.

Read more
2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan gets new face, bigger battery
2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan front-quarter view.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan arrived during the 2022 model year as the flagship of Mercedes' EV fleet. But now that it's been on sale for a few years, it's time for this flagship to get a refit so that it can stay competitive with other six-figure electric sedans like the BMW i7, Lucid Air, and Tesla Model S. The updated EQS sedan is scheduled to reach dealerships later this year as a 2025 model.

One of the most controversial features of the EQS has been its unorthodox streamlined shape, which makes the EQS one of the most aerodynamic sedans around, but also means it doesn't look much like a traditional Mercedes. For 2025, the EQS takes a step closer to that traditional look with a new grille featuring chrome bars like on the Mercedes S-Class. It also sports the brand's trademark hood ornament.

Read more
Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations
The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.

Read more