Millennials the most “distracted generation” behind the wheel: Survey

A new survey commissioned by Allstate Canada finds 80% of Canadians believe millennials are most likely to drive distracted—and 69% of millennials agree.

“The data shows younger drivers are honest in recognizing the tendencies of their own peer group—but that self-awareness isn’t necessarily leading to changes in risky behaviour,” Ryan Michel, Allstate Canada’s president and CEO, said in a news release.

Related: Jump in vehicle collisions thanks to cities like Toronto and Halifax: Allstate Canada

The survey found millennials are also less likely to believe their behavior behind the wheel can pull them away from the task at hand. They were less likely than Canadians overall to realize that eating (68% versus 76%), drinking (58% versus 68%), playing with the sound system (59% versus 68%) or looking at roadside distractions (67% versus 77%) was causing them to lose focus behind the wheel.

Overall, nearly all Canadians surveyed listed using a mobile device and grooming as the two biggest factors leading to distraction behind the wheel, while 73% said thinking about work, family or other personal stressors also took their minds off the task at hand.

The Leger survey is considered accurate to within +/- 2.2%, 19 times out of 20.

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This story was originally published by Canadian Insurance Top Broker.