New generation, new rules: How Gen Z drives differently

Gen Z is driving distracted — but perhaps not in the way Americans would expect, according to new research.

The survey of 2,000 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 looked at (https://www.lemonade.com) a variety of legal, but unsafe, distracted driving habits, and found Gen Z respondents were more likely than other generations to be committing these “driving sins.”

In the past year alone, 54% of Gen Z respondents admitted to eating while driving, compared to 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 likely to drive while tired (32%).

This was compared to 28% of millennials, 22% of Gen X and just 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 they were also the most likely to let a pet sit on their lap while driving (13%).

Perhaps it makes sense then, that only 30% of Gen Z believe their generation has safer drivers than other age groups.

That’s compared to 43% of millennials, 60% of Gen X and 63% of baby boomers surveyed who said the same about how their own peers driving safety stacks up.

“Regardless of how often Americans are driving, staying focused behind the wheel is one of the most important things any driver can do — for their own safety and everyone else’s,” stated Sean Burgess, Chief Claims Officer at Lemonade. “We all get tempted by distractions, but it’s clear younger drivers who were raised with technology at their fingertips are navigating that with growing awareness.”

Despite having driving habits they still need to work on, Gen Z drivers surveyed shared a variety of safe driving behaviors when it comes to how they use tech on the road.

Younger drivers are the most tech-forward, with 56% of Gen Z typically, if not always, turning on car-specific settings like Drive Mode, CarPlay and Android Auto when driving.

This is compared to 47% of millennials, 34% of Gen X and 18% of baby boomers surveyed. In fact, 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, more than any other group (with baby boomers the least likely, at 37%).

Across generations, about a fifth of respondents keep their phone somewhere in reach (like the passenger seat), but younger generations were more likely to use their phone hands-free.

Gen Z and millennials were also more likely to make hands-free phone calls, send hands-free text messages and have their phone read text messages to them while driving, a sign that they’re not just using tech, but hopefully using it to drive smarter.

They’re also more tech-forward when it comes to their car insurance, with 41% of Gen Z respondents reporting they use, and like, tech to help get better rates on car insurance — like a location-enabled app on their phone or plug-in device for their car that monitors mileage and/or driving habits.

That’s compared to 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 just open to tech-enabled insurance — they expect it. From using telematics to unlock better rates to embracing connected features that promote safer driving, Gen Z is showing that modern insurance should meet them where they are: mobile, mindful and data-driven.”