• Nearly half (44%) of UK driving trips involve a driver being distracted by their mobile phone including interacting with the screen, answering or placing calls with over 5% of them travelling at over 50mph.
• Mobile phone screen interaction time among UK drivers increases by over 5% during peak school drop-off and pick-up times in back-to-school week.
• Tuesday car journeys see the biggest increase in distraction compared to other weekdays in September. Distraction on the first Tuesday of terms spikes by 5.8% compared to the monthly average.

As children return to school this September, new research commissioned by Hastings Direct, the technology and data-driven insurance provider, reveals a concerning rise in distracted driving, particularly during school drop-off and pick-up times. 

Insights from Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT), the world’s largest telematics service provider and the provider of the Hastings Direct telematics solution, shows that drivers engage in more mobile phone interactions at the start of the new school year compared to the rest of September, threatening road safety at a time when roads are busier and drivers are more likely to be in a hurry as school runs resume. 

In the first week of September, screen interaction times during the peak school run period increased by over 5% compared to the rest of the month, equivalent to almost 3 seconds – enough time to miss a pedestrian crossing the road or another car pulling out.

Tuesday car journeys see the biggest jump in distraction compared to the rest of the week in September. The first Tuesday of term shows a 5.8% spike in screen time compared to the monthly average.

Back-to-School week is a time when many families are adjusting to schedule changes, new routines and navigating unfamiliar routes, whether they are road users or pedestrians. The raised risk of distracted driving and added stress can make the roads more dangerous at a time when there is already a higher volume of traffic. 

Improving road safety 

Hastings Direct is urging drivers to stay focused and reduce screen interactions to help keep roads safe.

Overall, nearly half (44%) of UK driving trips involve a driver being distracted by their phone including interacting with the screen, answering or placing calls with over 5% of them at over 50mph. 

However, it is an improving picture as the data indicates that screen interactions are down 34% since 2021. 

To further bolster this trend, Hastings Direct shares tips for reducing screen distractions during car journeys throughout the year: 

• Turn off phone notifications or switch to do not disturb mode before driving
• If you have to use your phone, always use hands-free settings 
• Leave extra time for your journey to reduce stress 
• Reduce the temptation to multitask during car journeys, ensuring plans are in place beforehand. For example mapping routes and organising parking in advance where possible
• Be vigilant and encourage children to take extra care when around cars and crossing roads

Toby van der Meer, CEO Hastings Direct, commented: “The start of the school year is a hectic time for many families. There is a clear pattern of increased phone use behind the wheel, posing a serious risk to road safety. We urge all road users to resist the temptation to multitask and to stay fully focused while driving. Staying alert not only helps prevent accidents but also helps avoid the sometimes devastating consequences that follow them. 

“At Hastings Direct, we’ve seen that telematics plays a vital role in promoting safer driving by providing real-time feedback and encouraging more mindful behaviour behind the wheel. Through data-driven insights, drivers can better understand and improve their habits, helping to create safer roads.

“This Back-to-School Week, please take extra care, especially during peak commuting hours and school drop-off and pick up times when traffic volumes are at their highest.” 

William V. Powers, Co-Founder & CEO of CMT, commented:“Back-to-school week should be an exciting time for families, not one to worry about distracted driving dangers on the road. CMT’s data shows distracted driving rises during school hours, when children are most vulnerable. By highlighting these risks with Hastings Direct, we want to help drivers stay focused and keep kids safe.”

Methodology 

CMT compared screen interaction per hour during the first week of September, Back to School Week, to the other weeks in September (2022-2024). More specifically, we compared screen interaction per hour during school arrival (8:00 a.m.) and pick up times (3:00 p.m.) to the following weeks. We also compared the daily and weekly average.

About Hastings Direct

Hastings Direct is an agile, data and digitally focused general insurance provider to the UK market, offering car, bike, van and home insurance as well as a range of additional products including breakdown cover and home legal expenses.

Hastings Direct is passionate about playing an active role in improving road safety and supporting safer driving and road use. Through innovative use of telematics, proactive customer communications, and data-led insights the company is dedicated to encouraging safer driving habits, especially among young drivers, and tackling key risks such as distracted driving caused by mobile phone use.

Working hard to help avoid accidents through encouraging better driving behaviours, Hastings Direct is there for customers when there is an accident and recognises the devastating consequences these can have on all involved.  

For more information, go to https://www.hastingsdirect.com/ 

About Cambridge Mobile Telematics

Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) is the world’s largest telematics service provider. Its mission is to make the world’s roads and drivers safer. The company’s AI-driven platform, DriveWell Fusion®, proactively identifies and reduces driving risk, leading to fewer crashes and injuries, making mobility safer. To date, CMT’s technology has helped prevent over 93,000 crashes and protected more than 50,000 people from serious injuries worldwide. CMT partners with insurers, automakers, commercial mobility companies, and the public sector to measure risk, detect crashes, provide life-saving assistance, and streamline claims. Headquartered in Cambridge, MA, CMT operates globally with offices in Budapest, Chennai, Seattle, Tokyo, and Zagreb.