Gen Z drivers most likely to get into heated arguments in the car, most likely to use phones while driving

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 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 ...