Nationwide: Drivers Feel Roads Are Less Predictable Amid Distracted and Aggressive Behavior

Aggressive and distracted driving is increasingly being reported by motorists across the United States, creating a road environment that makes many feel is harder to predict, according to new research.

A study from Nationwide surveyed personal auto drivers, parents of teen drivers and commercial drivers, and found that nearly nine-in-10 people say unsafe behaviors have increased in the past year, with more complaints of cellphone use, faster driving and more frequent road rage.

Unruly road behaviors may have led to more stress behind the wheel, with 40% of drivers feeling it. Additionally, more than two-thirds of drivers say they regularly witness aggressive driving.

When the results were reviewed group, 91% of parents of teen drivers say they feel anxious about their teen’s safety. Additionally, 40% of the parents in the survey say they would trust an autonomous vehicle over their teen in certain situations.

Compared with Nationwide’s 2025 findings, distraction among company drivers rose from 67% to 77%, recklessness increased from 63% to 73% and reports of unsafe behavior around larger vehicles climbed from 59% to 74%.

Nearly half of commercial drivers say they feel stressed or fatigued while driving for work, and 60% worry aggressive drivers could cause a crash that threatens their employment. More than half of commercial drivers surveyed say employers contact them while they are driving, adding pressure and contributing to distraction.

According to Nationwide, the findings reflect a road environment marked by rising tension and less predictable behavior, increasing the need for proactive risk guidance from risk professionals.

“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, vice president of personal lines auto at Nationwide.

Nationwide commissioned Edelman Data and Intelligence to survey 1,005 consumers, 400 parents of teen drivers and 400 commercial drivers from Jan. 14 through Jan. 28.

The findings align with concerns raised in a National Transportation Safety Board report, which reported that hands‑free driving systems may not improve safety. Drivers have the possibility to become too reliant on the technology and shift their attention to phones and entertainment screens instead of the road, the NTSB report shows.