New Data from Root Insurance Shows Americans Spend 11% of Drive Time on Phones, with Gen Z Twice as Distracted as Baby Boomers
Root Insurance reveals concerning distracted driving trends in its 2025 Focused Driving Report, analyzing over 1.3 billion miles of driving data. The study shows Americans spend 11% of their drive time on phones, with Gen Z drivers using phones nearly twice as much (14.78%) as Baby Boomers (6.34%).
Key findings show Portland, Oregon as the most focused city (8.74% distraction rate), while New Orleans, Louisiana ranks as the most distracted (15.20%). The study identifies 5:00 a.m. as the least distracted hour (7.16%), with peak phone usage at 7:00 p.m. (11.65%).
Survey results from 500 drivers reveal texting (86%), social media (77%), and handheld calls (75%) as top distractions. Notably, 46% of drivers reported close calls or accidents while distracted, and 72% indicated they would reduce phone use if insurance rates reflected their focusing behavior.
Root Insurance svela preoccupanti tendenze sulla guida distratta nel suo Rapporto sulla Guida Concentrata 2025, analizzando oltre 1,3 miliardi di miglia di dati di guida. Lo studio mostra che gli americani trascorrono l'11% del tempo di guida al telefono, con i guidatori della Generazione Z che lo utilizzano quasi il doppio (14,78%) rispetto ai Baby Boomer (6,34%).
I risultati principali indicano Portland, Oregon come la città più concentrata (tasso di distrazione dell'8,74%), mentre New Orleans, Louisiana è la più distratta (15,20%). Lo studio identifica le 5:00 come l'ora meno distratta (7,16%), con il picco di utilizzo del telefono alle 19:00 (11,65%).
I risultati del sondaggio su 500 guidatori evidenziano messaggiare (86%), social media (77%) e chiamate a mano libera (75%) come principali distrazioni. Notevolmente, il 46% dei guidatori ha riportato quasi incidenti o incidenti mentre era distratto, e il 72% ha affermato che ridurrebbe l'uso del telefono se le tariffe assicurative riflettessero il loro comportamento di concentrazione.
Root Insurance revela preocupantes tendencias de conducción distraída en su Informe de Conducción Enfocada 2025, analizando más de 1.3 mil millones de millas de datos de conducción. El estudio muestra que los estadounidenses pasan el 11% de su tiempo conduciendo usando el teléfono, con los conductores de la Generación Z usando el teléfono casi el doble (14,78%) que los Baby Boomers (6,34%).
Los hallazgos clave muestran a Portland, Oregón como la ciudad más enfocada (tasa de distracción del 8,74%), mientras que New Orleans, Luisiana es la más distraída (15,20%). El estudio identifica las 5:00 a.m. como la hora con menos distracción (7,16%), con el pico de uso del teléfono a las 7:00 p.m. (11,65%).
Los resultados de una encuesta a 500 conductores revelan que enviar mensajes de texto (86%), redes sociales (77%) y llamadas con el teléfono en mano (75%) son las principales distracciones. Notablemente, el 46% de los conductores reportaron casi accidentes o accidentes mientras estaban distraídos, y el 72% indicó que reducirían el uso del teléfono si las tarifas de seguro reflejaran su comportamiento de concentración.
Root Insurance는 13억 마일 이상의 운전 데이터를 분석한 2025년 집중 운전 보고서에서 우려스러운 주의 산만 운전 경향을 공개했습니다. 연구에 따르면 미국 운전자들은 운전 시간의 11%를 휴대폰 사용에 할애하며, Z세대 운전자는 베이비붐 세대(6.34%)보다 거의 두 배 가까운 14.78%의 휴대폰 사용률을 보였습니다.
주요 결과에 따르면 오리건주 포틀랜드가 가장 집중도가 높은 도시(산만 비율 8.74%)로 나타났으며, 루이지애나주 뉴올리언스는 가장 산만한 도시(15.20%)로 나타났습니다. 연구는 오전 5시를 가장 산만하지 않은 시간대(7.16%)로, 오후 7시를 휴대폰 사용이 가장 많은 시간대(11.65%)로 지목했습니다.
500명의 운전자를 대상으로 한 설문조사 결과, 문자 메시지(86%), 소셜 미디어(77%), 손에 들고 하는 통화(75%)가 주요 산만 요인으로 나타났습니다. 특히 46%의 운전자가 주의 산만 상태에서 아찔한 상황이나 사고를 경험했다고 보고했으며, 72%는 보험료가 집중 행동을 반영한다면 휴대폰 사용을 줄일 것이라고 답했습니다.
Root Insurance révèle des tendances préoccupantes concernant la conduite distraite dans son Rapport sur la conduite concentrée 2025, analysant plus de 1,3 milliard de miles de données de conduite. L'étude montre que les Américains passent 11 % de leur temps de conduite au téléphone, les conducteurs de la génération Z utilisant leur téléphone presque deux fois plus (14,78 %) que les Baby Boomers (6,34 %).
Les résultats clés indiquent que Portland, Oregon est la ville la plus concentrée (taux de distraction de 8,74 %), tandis que La Nouvelle-Orléans, Louisiane est la plus distraite (15,20 %). L'étude identifie 5h00 comme l'heure la moins distraite (7,16 %), avec un pic d'utilisation du téléphone à 19h00 (11,65 %).
Les résultats d'une enquête auprès de 500 conducteurs révèlent que les textos (86 %), les réseaux sociaux (77 %) et les appels en main libre (75 %) sont les principales sources de distraction. Notamment, 46 % des conducteurs ont signalé des quasi-accidents ou des accidents en étant distraits, et 72 % ont indiqué qu'ils réduiraient l'utilisation du téléphone si les tarifs d'assurance reflétaient leur comportement de concentration.
Root Insurance enthüllt besorgniserregende Trends beim abgelenkten Fahren in seinem 2025 Focused Driving Report, basierend auf der Analyse von über 1,3 Milliarden Fahrmeilen. Die Studie zeigt, dass Amerikaner 11 % ihrer Fahrzeit am Telefon verbringen, wobei Fahrer der Generation Z das Telefon fast doppelt so häufig nutzen (14,78 %) wie die Babyboomer (6,34 %).
Zentrale Ergebnisse zeigen Portland, Oregon als die am konzentriertesten fahrende Stadt (Ablenkungsrate 8,74 %), während New Orleans, Louisiana als die am meisten abgelenkte Stadt gilt (15,20 %). Die Studie identifiziert 5:00 Uhr morgens als die Stunde mit der geringsten Ablenkung (7,16 %), mit dem Höhepunkt der Handynutzung um 19:00 Uhr (11,65 %).
Umfrageergebnisse von 500 Fahrern zeigen, dass Texten (86 %), soziale Medien (77 %) und Telefonate mit dem Handy in der Hand (75 %) die Hauptursachen für Ablenkung sind. Bemerkenswert ist, dass 46 % der Fahrer von Beinaheunfällen oder Unfällen während der Ablenkung berichteten, und 72 % gaben an, dass sie ihre Handynutzung reduzieren würden, wenn die Versicherungsprämien ihr Konzentrationsverhalten widerspiegeln würden.
- Root's data-driven insurance model rewards safe driving behavior, with 72% of survey respondents indicating willingness to reduce phone use for better rates
- Company has collected and analyzed over 1.3 billion miles of driving data, demonstrating strong market penetration and data assets
- Root's technology-driven approach enables precise risk assessment through real driving behavior data
- Data shows concerning levels of distracted driving (11% of drive time), which could lead to higher insurance claims and payouts
- Gen Z drivers (likely a key target demographic) show highest risk behavior with nearly 15% phone usage while driving
- 46% of surveyed drivers reported close calls or accidents while distracted, indicating high potential claim liability
Portland, Oregon named most focused city; New Orleans, Louisiana ranks as most distracted city in Root’s 2025 Focused Driving Report
COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Root Insurance, a technology-driven personal car insurance carrier and subsidiary of Root, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROOT), today released its 2025 Focused Driving Report in recognition of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Using real-world driving data, the report sheds light on one of the most dangerous behaviors behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving claims more than 3,200 lives in the U.S. every year.
Root, known for its modern data science approach to car insurance, offers rates primarily based on how people drive. The company analyzed more than 1.3 billion miles of driving data from across the country. The findings reveal that, on average, U.S. drivers are distracted by their phones for nearly 11 out of every 100 miles driven, or
Read the 2025 Focused Driving Report at joinroot.com/2025-focused-driving-report.
“Phone use behind the wheel remains one of the most common and preventable risks on the road,” said Matt Bonakdarpour, President and Chief Technology Officer at Root Insurance. “Distracted driving doesn’t just put the driver at risk, it endangers everyone around them and often creates a ripple effect of other unsafe behaviors, such as hard braking and sharp turns. Our data makes it clear that phone use while driving is still a major issue, and staying focused is one of the simplest ways to make the roads safer for everyone.”
Findings from Root’s data analysis include:
- Geographic Differences
- Oregon, Washington, and West Virginia were the most focused states.
- Louisiana, Mississippi, and Illinois ranked as the most distracted.
- Portland, Oregon, topped the list of most focused metros (
8.74% ). - New Orleans, Louisiana, was the most distracted (
15.20% ), with drivers picking up their phones nearly 7 more times per 100 miles than those in Portland.
- Generational Divide
- Gen Z drivers use their phones nearly twice as often (
14.78% ) as Baby Boomers (6.34% ) while driving.
- Gen Z drivers use their phones nearly twice as often (
- Early Morning Focus
- 5:00 a.m. is the least distracted hour of the day (
7.16% ). - 7:00 p.m. saw the highest rates of phone use behind the wheel (
11.65% ).
- 5:00 a.m. is the least distracted hour of the day (
Survey Insights:
86% of drivers cited texting while driving as the most common phone-based distraction, followed by social media use (77% ) and handheld phone calls (75% ).- Nearly half (
46% ) admitted to a close call or accident while distracted;60% of them reported changing their driving behavior afterward. 13% of drivers admitted to using social media while driving. Among those, Facebook was the most commonly used app at64% , followed by Instagram & TikTok at61% .- Encouragingly,
72% of respondents said they’d be less likely to use their phones while driving if their insurance rate reflected their focus behind the wheel—a model Root uses to reward safe driving behavior.
The 2025 Focused Driving Report, which uses driving data collected from January to December of 2024, offers a data-driven look at distracted driving trends across the U.S. to raise awareness and encourage safer habits behind the wheel.
Privacy Commitment:
Root is committed to protecting driver privacy, and data security is a core part of its business. The company only collects data from users who enable permissions through the app, and it does not sell user driving information.
About Root, Inc.
Founded in 2015 and based in Columbus, Ohio, Root, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROOT) is the parent company of Root Insurance Company. Root is revolutionizing insurance through data science and technology to provide consumers a personalized, easy, and fair experience. The Root app has more than 15 million app downloads and has collected more than 31 billion miles of driving data to inform their insurance offerings.
For further information on Root, visit root.com.
Contact:
press@root.com
FAQ
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