Critical Shifts:
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Rising Road Risks Increase Vehicle Depreciation: With 9 in 10 drivers reporting an increase in phone distraction and nearly 75% noting a spike in reckless driving, the likelihood of accidents is rising. For dealers, this means a higher probability of incoming trade-ins having accident histories or hidden structural damage, requiring more rigorous inspections.
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Growing Demand for Safety Technology: As 40% of drivers report feeling stressed and two-thirds witness frequent road rage, safety features are becoming a primary selling point. Dealers can gain a competitive edge by highlighting inventory equipped with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) or by offering add-ons like dashcams and telematics to help customers feel more secure.
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Commercial Clients Face a Mental Health Crisis: Nearly half of professional drivers (47%) feel stressed, exhausted, and frustrated. Dealers catering to small business owners or commercial fleets should focus on vehicles with superior cabin comfort and driver-assistance tech to help mitigate "road fatigue" and improve driver retention for their clients.
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Shift Toward Usage-Based Insurance (UBI): The article highlights programs like Nationwide’s Focused Driving Rewards that track behavior via mobile apps. Dealers can better serve customers by staying informed on how these telematics programs work, as many car buyers now look for vehicles compatible with insurance-saving technology to offset rising premiums caused by unpredictable road conditions.
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A new survey from Nationwide finds that driving in America is becoming less predictable and less trusted. While most drivers rate their own driving highly, many say the behavior from others on the road is getting worse.
Distraction, aggression and recklessness are rising, making every day driving more stressful and harder to anticipate.
Nearly 9 in 10 drivers say phone use behind the wheel has increased in the past year, alongside similar spikes in aggressive and reckless driving. As a result, 40% say they experience stress while driving, and more than two-thirds frequently witness road rage.
Company drivers who operate a vehicle daily as part of their job responsibilities see this shift every day on the road.
Spending more time behind the wheel than most, they offer a clear view into how driving behavior is changing. They report noticeable increases in risky driving behaviors when compared to results from the 2025 Driving Behaviors study, including a 10-point rise in distraction (77%) and recklessness (73%) and a 15-point increase (74%) in unsafe driving around commercial vehicles.
That behavior is making an already demanding job more stressful. Nearly half of commercial drivers (47%) say they feel stressed, exhausted and frustrated while driving for work, and 60% worry that aggressive drivers could cause an accident.
“Driving no longer feels as predictable or routine as it once did,” said Mark McGhiey, commercial risk management leader at Nationwide. “Many describe a road environment with more distractions, more tension and less trust in the people around them. These conditions are particularly concerning for company drivers as many worry about the threat of accidents, injuries and the ripple effects on future employment opportunities.”
It’s not just regular drivers causing friction; company drivers are noticing the same trends of faster and more reckless driving among their peers as well. One quarter admits they are at least sometimes distracted behind the wheel, showing no group is immune to risky behavior.
While drivers can’t control the behavior of others, they can take steps to help reduce their own risk in an environment that feels increasingly unpredictable.
“Drivers are noticing changes in driving behavior on the road, and that awareness is an important first step toward improving road safety,” said Chris Lee, VP of personal lines auto at Nationwide. “While we can’t control every driver around us, we can control how we drive. Reducing distractions, staying alert, and giving other vehicles more space are simple actions that can make a real difference. Programs like Nationwide’s Focused Driving Rewards are designed to help drivers build those safer habits and keep their attention where it belongs – on the road.”
Nationwide’s Focused Driving Rewards is designed to help drivers put those habits into practice. The program encourages reduced phone handling behind the wheel by tracking behaviors like handheld calls or screen taps, and rewards focused driving with gift cards. It is open to both Nationwide members and non-customers.
Businesses can also leverage insurance carrier-provided resources, like guides for safely handling aggressive or distracted drivers. They can also lean into tech solutions like dashcams that capture critical evidence in the event of an accident caused by another vehicle, as well as GPS telematics, which can help proactively reduce risk through driver monitoring, coaching and route optimization.
