Related: Battling Distracted Driving
Distracted Driving Has Impacted Insurance Penalties, Study Shows
Since 2011, the average insurance penalty for distracted driving has increased exponentially, going from $5 to $357 in 2019.

Penalties that car insurance companies typically charge distracted drivers have increased exponentially over the past decade.
Photo: The Zebra
Penalties that car insurance companies typically charge distracted drivers have increased exponentially over the past decade, according to insurance research provider The Zebra.
Since 2011, the average insurance penalty for distracted driving has increased exponentially, going from $5 to $357 in 2019, according to The Zebra. Despite this, drivers are more distracted than ever.
Highlights of the study include observing that a majority of people have done more than read a message or sent a text while driving; it found that one in four drivers have also put on or taken off clothing while operating a vehicle (26.8%). And about one in seven drivers have applied makeup or deodorant (15.2%), engaged in sexual activity (14.9%), or hit a passenger (12.4%) while driving.
The study also found that New Yorkers admit to the most distracted driving followed by Washington, D.C., and St. Louis inhabitants. Seattle residents are America’s least distracted drivers.
Looking at different age groups, Generation Z drivers are most distracted, with distraction rates dropping significantly after age 40. Baby Boomers reported the lowest distraction rate, according to The Zebra. The study also found that nearly two-thirds of U.S. drivers (62.9%) know they should not use a phone while driving but do it anyway.
The Zebra surveyed 2,600 people in 25 cities across America to better understand the temptations of distracted driving.
Originally posted on Automotive Fleet
More Safety

When Work Trucks Under 26,001 Pounds Need IRP Registration
Think trucks under 26,001 pounds are automatically in the clear when it comes to IRP? Not always. Learn where lighter vehicles can still run into trip permit, apportioned registration, and IFTA compliance requirements when crossing state or provincial lines.
Read More →
Volvo Trucks Releases New Safety Recommendations for Traveling with Pets
One of the most important recommendations for professional drivers traveling with pets is to ensure pets are properly restrained while the truck is moving. Other tips are available in the new guide from Volvo Trucks North America and Center for Pet Safety.
Read More →
API Issues Refueling Safety Guidelines
The American Petroleum Institute offers a list of safe vehicle refueling guidelines, including ways to avoid potential problems with static electricity discharges in fall, winter, and early spring.
Read More →
Winter Fleet Prep: Expert Tips to Keep Vehicles Running Smoothly
Cold weather can expose weak batteries, tires, fuel systems, and maintenance gaps fast. Use this winter fleet checklist to prepare trucks and drivers before temperatures drop.
Read More →
When a Work Truck Breaks Down, the Job Can Stop, Too
A work truck breakdown can stop more than the vehicle. Discover how payloads, jobsites, and specialty equipment change the roadside response.
Read More →
What Stronger Long-Term Fleet Service Partnerships Actually Require
Fleet service partnerships rarely fall apart all at once. Learn the three warning signs that trust is eroding and what fleets and providers can do before downtime, frustration, and lost revenue follow.
Read More →
Applause & TRUCE Software Partner to Improve Driver Safety Through AI-Powered Telematics & Employee Performance Management
Applause has integrated TRUCE driving metrics directly into its employee-first performance and safety platform that transforms mobile devices into AI-powered telematics.
Read More →
How Detroit Assurance with Active Brake Assist Works
Do you want to see what it is like to experience Detroit Assurance’s Active Brake Assist? In this video, Work Truck will put you in the cab to see how it all works and then hear more details from DTNA’s Mike Young.
Read More →
Get Left of Loss: A 5-Step Workplace Violence Prevention Framework for Fleet Operators
Violence risks do not stop at the driver’s door. Learn five practical steps fleets can take to spot threats early and protect workers before loss occurs.
Read More →How Better Visibility Cut Speeding Violations by 48%
Fleet leaders don't need more data, they need clearer visibility into what the data is saying. This case study explores how one utility replaced speeding-event counts with a single metric — miles driven in violation — to strengthen safety and significantly reduce speeding violations.
Read More →
