Gen Z is distracted, but perhaps not the way Americans expect. According to new research.
A survey of 2,000 American drivers is evenly divided at 500 per generation, revealing that despite the ubiquitous younger generations and mobile phones, Gen Z uses technology in a more clever way while driving.
But that doesn’t mean they’re driving safely on the road: I saw the survey We found that a variety of legal, but unsafe, distracting driving habits, and that Gen Z respondents are more likely to commit these “driving crimes” than other generations.
In the past year alone, 54% of Gen Z respondents have admitted to eating while driving, compared to 53% of millennials, 47% of GEN X and 32% of baby boomers.
Gen Z is more tired and tired than the older generation
A survey commissioned by Lemonade’s digital insurance company and conducted by Talker Research for Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April found that Gen Z drivers are also more likely to drive while tired (32%).
This was compared to 28% of millennials, 22% of Gen X, and only 15% of baby boomers.
Younger generations were more likely to have a heated argument with someone else in the car (15% for Gen Z and Millennials), and were most likely to have their pets sit on their lap while driving (13%).
Perhaps what makes sense is that only 30% of Gen Z Z think their generation has a safer driver than other age groups.
This said the same thing about their peers stacking up safety, compared to 43% of millennials, 60% of GEN X and 63% of baby boomers surveyed the survey.
“No matter how often Americans drive, focusing behind the wheels is one of the most important things a driver can do. For his own safety and everyone else.” “We’re all tempted by distractions, but it’s clear that young drivers, tech-raised at their fingertips, are increasingly aware and navigating it.”
Despite having driving habits, Gen Z Drivers conducted the investigation, despite still having to tackle it.
Gen Z accepts telematics to save on insurance
Young drivers are the most technical, with 56% of Gen Zs usually turn on car-specific settings such as Drive Mode, CarPlay, and Android Auto when driving, if not always.
This compares to 47% of millennials, 34% of Gen X, and 18% of baby boomers surveyed. In fact, 63% of baby boomers don’t turn on these features.
Two-thirds (64%) of Gen Z use their mobile phones to play music while driving, but 8% of the baby boomers.
And 54% use them in the direction – again, more than any other group (baby boomers are the least likely at 37%).
Over generations, around five-fifths of respondents have their phones somewhere out of reach (such as the passenger seat), but younger generations are more likely to use their phones hands-free.
ZZ and millennials are also more likely to make hands-free calls, send hands-free text messages, and read phones and text messages while driving.
Also, when it comes to car insurance, 41% of Gen Z respondents report using it, so Tech now helps get better car insurance rates, like a location-enabled app for cars that monitor mileage and driving habits.
This compares to 35% of millennials, 28% of Gen X and 13% of baby boomers.
“Young drivers are redefineing what it means to be responsible on the road,” Burgess added. “They are not only open to technology-enabled insurance, they are looking forward to it. From using telematics to adopt connected features that encourage safer driving, Gen Z shows that modern insurance should meet them in mobile, mindful, and data-driven locations.”
Research method:
The Talker survey looked at a survey in which 2,000 American drivers were divided equally across generations. The investigation was commissioned by lemonade Managed and implemented online by Talker Research March 18th-25th, 2025.
