2025 driving behavior trends: How insurance agents can advocate for safer roads

Today’s drivers overwhelmingly agree, driving has become more dangerous. Our recent survey polled both personal drivers and commercial drivers, and all reported other drivers being more aggressive, more reckless, and more often looking at their phones compared to 12 months ago.

With approximately 40,000 fatalities on American roadways each year¹, the need for safe driving behavior education and stronger road safety laws is critical. You can make an impact by educating your clients and advocating for safety.

2025 driving behavior trends and solutions

Educating personal lines clients about safe driving behaviors

The majority of personal drivers say unsafe driving habits have increased over the past year, with 92% agreeing that drivers are looking at their phones more frequently.

While advancements in technology, such as adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking, have contributed to safer driving, it’s important to caution about over-reliance on these features. Driver assistance technologies can reduce accidents, but they can also lead to complacency among drivers. One technology solution you can promote is using the driving mode capability available on most phones. Typically enabled via the settings, driving modes act as a “do not disturb” function, silencing incoming phone calls, texts and notifications.

Here are additional safe driving tips to share with personal lines clients:

• Focus on driving: Ignoring distractions while driving and maintaining focus on the road is key to driving safely.
• Practice defensive driving: Be aware of what other drivers around you are doing, and expect the unexpected, keeping at least a safe distance from other vehicles and being mindful of bicyclists and pedestrians.
• Make a safe driving plan: Build time into your trip schedule to stop for food, rest breaks, phone calls or other business. Before putting the car in gear, make sure to adjust mirrors, start your navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.²

Another way you can help increase awareness for clients on safe driving practices and help them become more aware of their behaviors is through Nationwide’s telematics solutions and driving rewards program.

• Using a mobile app, SmartRide® tracks drivers’ habits on the road and offers safe driving discounts on auto insurance and personalized experiences that help them drive safely.
• Focused Driving Rewards is a program for customers and non-customers that allows participants earn rewards for avoiding phone distractions over time.

Ongoing education is crucial for commercial line clients

When it comes to the dangerous driving behaviors commercial drivers experience while working, they report most often seeing distracted driving (52%), speeding (45%) and cutting off other drivers (34%).

In addition to these reckless behaviors, staffing shortages are contributing to the risks on America’s roads. Nearly half (44%) of commercial drivers say their employer is currently having trouble finding, hiring, or retaining qualified drivers, in turn making drivers’ jobs more difficult, with most agreeing shortages have increased their workload (72%) and required them to work longer hours (71%). With those stats it’s important for commercial lines clients to focus on safe driving behaviors through ongoing education and clear policies and procedures.

Here are safe driving policy considerations for commercial clients:

• A documented policy prohibiting or limiting distracting secondary tasks or driving while drowsy.
• Allowing drivers to refuse to answer a call when conditions are not safe to do so.
• Monitoring drivers’ compliance with policy through observations and ride-alongs.

Here are resources developed by our Risk Management and Client Services team that can be shared with customers who use vehicles as part of their business operations:

• Distracted Driving Prevention Training
• Distracted and inattentive driving (with sample policy)
• Continuous Monitoring of Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs)
• Rear-end collision prevention
• Preventing left-turn collisions
• Dashcams: Which is best for you?
• Why vehicle telematics

How can insurance agents advocate for safer driving behaviors?

Independent agents are in a unique position to help educate clients about the importance of safe driving practices and the benefits of supporting stronger road safety laws.

In 2021, Nationwide spearheaded efforts at the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) to adopt a national model distracted driving law. Since then, the model has been used as a template to advocate for hands-free laws. Currently, 31 states prohibit handheld phone use, 49 ban texting while driving, and 44 have enacted broader distracted driving laws. These efforts are yielding tangible results, with most states seeing crash rates drop between 5% and 20% within the first year, although the exact impact varies by jurisdiction. This rise in legislation has correlated with a decrease in distracted driving incidents, highlighted by an overall 7.4 decrease in 2024.³

Notable examples of effective state-level action include Ohio’s 2023 hands-free legislation. Since its implementation, distracted driving trips have been reduced by 8.9%.⁴ These results underscore the impact that well-crafted legislation can have on road safety.

With 19 states without such laws, Nationwide is committed to working with lawmakers in those states to pass similar distracted driving laws to make roads safer for all. Please visit Nationwide’s Distracted Driving Resource page for more information on how Nationwide is working to reduce crashes and save lives.

Focusing on safer driving behaviors for the future

Aside from advocacy work, safe driving behaviors should be shared year-round through your marketing—on social media, your website, email campaigns, community presence and more. Afterall, distracted driving isn’t just one month, through ongoing awareness you can make a difference with your clients.

Nationwide is committed to a comprehensive approach that combines public awareness, technological advancements, and research to address the multifaceted challenges of road safety. As we move forward, let’s continue to champion stronger laws and embrace innovative solutions to protect our clients and communities.