Gen Z is driving distracted — but perhaps not in the best way Americans would expect, in accordance with recent research.
The survey of two,000 American drivers, split evenly with 500 per generation, revealed that despite younger generations and cell phones being ubiquitous, Gen Z is using tech in smarter ways while driving.
But that doesn’t mean they’re driving safely on the road: The survey checked out a wide range of legal, but unsafe, distracted driving habits, and located Gen Z respondents were more likely than other generations to be committing these “driving sins.”
Previously yr alone, 54% of Gen Z respondents admitted to eating while driving, in comparison with 53% of millennials, 47% of Gen X and 32% of baby boomers.
Commissioned by digital insurance company, Lemonade, and conducted by Talker Research for Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, the survey found Gen Z drivers were also more more likely to drive while drained (32%).
This was in comparison with 28% of millennials, 22% of Gen X and just 15% of baby boomers.
Younger generations were more more likely to have a heated argument with another person within the automotive (15% for Gen Z and millennials) and so they were also the most definitely to let a pet sit on their lap while driving (13%).
Perhaps it is sensible then, that only 30% of Gen Z consider their generation has safer drivers than other age groups.
That’s in comparison with 43% of millennials, 60% of Gen X and 63% of baby boomers surveyed who said the identical about how their very own peers driving safety stacks up.
“No matter how often Americans are driving, staying focused behind the wheel is one of the crucial necessary things any driver can do — for their very own safety and everybody else’s,” stated Sean Burgess, Chief Claims Officer at Lemonade. “All of us get tempted by distractions, but it surely’s clear younger drivers who were raised with technology at their fingertips are navigating that with growing awareness.”
Despite having driving habits they still must work on, Gen Z drivers surveyed shared a wide range of secure driving behaviors with regards to how they use tech on the road.
Younger drivers are essentially the most tech-forward, with 56% of Gen Z typically, if not all the time, turning on car-specific settings like Drive Mode, CarPlay and Android Auto when driving.
That is in comparison with 47% of millennials, 34% of Gen X and 18% of baby boomers surveyed. Actually, 63% of baby boomers never turn these features on.
Two-thirds (64%) of Gen Z use their phones to play music while driving, versus just 8% of baby boomers.
And 54% use them for directions — again, greater than another group (with baby boomers the least likely, at 37%).
Across generations, a couple of fifth of respondents keep their phone somewhere in reach (just like the passenger seat), but younger generations were more more likely to use their phone hands-free.
Gen Z and millennials were also more more likely to make hands-free phone calls, send hands-free text messages and have their phone read text messages to them while driving, an indication that they’re not only using tech, but hopefully using it to drive smarter.
They’re also more tech-forward with regards to their automotive insurance, with 41% of Gen Z respondents reporting they use, and like, tech to assist recuperate rates on automotive insurance — like a location-enabled app on their phone or plug-in device for his or her automotive that monitors mileage and/or driving habits.
That’s in comparison with 35% of millennials, 28% of Gen X and 13% of baby boomers.
“Younger drivers are redefining what it means to be responsible on the road,” added Burgess. “They’re not only open to tech-enabled insurance — they expect it. From using telematics to unlock higher rates to embracing connected features that promote safer driving, Gen Z is showing that modern insurance should meet them where they’re: mobile, mindful and data-driven.”
Survey methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 American drivers split evenly by generation; the survey was commissioned by Lemonade and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between March 18–25, 2025.
