Lytx Inc. released its annual “State of the Data” report, offering new insights into vehicle fleets and the increasing risks drivers face on roadways.

Analyzing over 40 billion miles of new driving data from 2023, the report underscores a significant 9.5% rise in roadway risk from the previous year, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced safety measures amidst growing congestion.

“Road travel surged to record highs in 2023, and with more vehicles come more risks, as well as increased logistical complexity,” said Brandon Nixon, Chairman and CEO of Lytx. “It’s crystal clear that the need for safety and efficiency amid increasingly congested roadways has never been stronger. Despite an overall rise in road risk, our data indicates that companies that have implemented fleet safety programs are seeing the results across a number of success metrics – from lower claims costs and more efficient fuel use to improved collision avoidance.” 

Key Findings from Lytx’s 2024 State of the Data Report

The following points highlight key statistics and findings related to driving safety in the U.S. in 2023:

• Risky Driving Incidents: Over 18 million risky driving incidents were recorded in 2023. The report identifies the afternoon commute (4-7 p.m.) as the riskiest time to drive in the U.S., being three times riskier than the morning commute.

• Riskiest States: The riskiest states for driving include California, Texas, and Florida.

• Top Risk Behaviors: The primary behaviors contributing to risk are maintaining a following distance of only one to two seconds and using handheld devices.

• Collision Data: Near collisions increased by 97% from 2022 to 2023, while actual collisions rose by 3%.

• Claims Savings: Fleet customers using Lytx saved $1.7 billion in claims.

Understanding the Risks of Commuting

• Commute Risks: Despite similar congestion levels, afternoon commutes are significantly riskier than morning ones, likely due to driver fatigue and decreased alertness after a long day.

• Top Risky Behaviors: Common risky behaviors include short following distances, handheld device usage, and not wearing seat belts. New to the top 10 list is the failure to make complete stops.

• City and State Rankings: New York City remains the riskiest U.S. city for driving, followed by Los Angeles and Chicago. California holds the top spot as the riskiest state, followed by New York and Texas.

• Public Roadways: The most hazardous roadways include I-678 into JFK International Airport (NY) and I-10 into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (AZ).

Additional Lytx Study Insights

• Riskiest Times and Days: The riskiest driving time is from 4:00-7:00 p.m., with Wednesdays and Thursdays having the highest collision rates. In contrast, Sunday is the safest day to drive.

• Holiday Driving: Christmas Day is identified as the riskiest holiday for driving, while Halloween is the safest.

• Near Collisions: While near collisions increased by 97%, actual collisions only rose by 3%, indicating improved defensive driving skills among commercial drivers.

• Industry Trends: Near collisions rose across all industries, with automotive, concrete, and EMS seeing the largest increases. However, collision frequency and severity varied, with concrete and utilities experiencing the biggest increases.

For those interested in learning more about the risk levels in trucking and strategies to mitigate them, the full report is available here.