New survey reveals a disconnect between what drivers know is risky and the behaviors they report, highlighting the value of understanding driving behavior over time

CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Most Americans consider themselves safer than average drivers, according to new data from Arity, a mobility data and analytics company, which found that drivers often recognize risky behaviors but don’t always avoid them. The findings uncover a disconnect: even when drivers know what’s safe, real-world situations can make that knowledge difficult to consistently put into practice.

In a survey of 1,000 U.S. drivers, Arity found that 85% of respondents consider themselves safer than average, even though 82% admit to at least one potentially unsafe behavior in the past three months. That belief persists even after drivers face consequences: 86% of respondents who received a speeding ticket or violation in the past three years still consider themselves safer than average.

“Driving is something most of us do every day, but we rarely stop to think about the patterns we’ve developed over time,” said Gary Hallgren, President of Arity. “This survey shows just how human that is. We know certain behaviors are risky, yet in the moment, we do them anyway. A driving report can help reveal the patterns we may not see in ourselves, giving people a new way to understand how they really drive, not just how they think they drive.”

Arity analyzes trillions of miles of driving data to understand which driving behaviors are most associated with risk and auto insurance claims. This survey adds the driver perspective, showing how people interpret those same behaviors behind the wheel.

Key findings from the survey include:
Drivers acknowledge risky behaviors and report engaging in them.

Drivers’ perceptions of risk often differ depending on their own self-reported behavior. Among respondents who report speeding, only 36% say speeding makes driving less safe. Among those who don’t report speeding, 69% say the same.

Recognizing a behavior as unsafe does not always stop drivers from taking the risk. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of respondents say accelerating through a yellow light makes driving less safe, yet 51% admit to doing it. Similarly, 85% consider driving while very tired unsafe, but one-third (33%) say they have done it.

The same gap shows up with phone use. While 90% say looking at or touching a smartphone makes driving less safe, certain situations still prompt drivers to interact with their phones behind the wheel. These include receiving a call or message from a family member or friend (68%), a navigation notification (57%), social media notifications (30%), ordering food (26%), taking a photo or video (25%) and boredom (25%).

The findings suggest that awareness alone does not always translate into behavior. Risky choices can still happen in everyday moments when convenience, urgency or distraction gets in the way. The opportunity is not simply to remind drivers what is considered safe, but to give them more visibility into their own reported patterns.

Drivers want greater visibility into their driving behavior 
Drivers see value in understanding the patterns behind their driving habits. While only 27% of respondents say they know what a driving score is, 83% say a driving score could help identify behaviors they may not notice on their own. At the same time, 89% say potential savings or other benefits could make sharing their driving data with an insurer worthwhile.

Arity is helping make that information more accessible. An Arity® Driving Score uses driving behavior data over time to provide consumers with educational information about certain driving behaviors and how their driving compares with other drivers.

The findings point to an opportunity to give consumers greater visibility into their driving and more education about how driving behavior may be considered in insurance. Learn more about the findings here. 

About Arity
Arity is a mobility data and analytics company that provides data-driven solutions to companies invested in transportation, enabling them to deliver mobility services that are smarter, safer, and more economical. Arity collects and analyzes trillions of miles of driving data to create a greater understanding of how people move. With the world’s largest driving dataset tied to insurance claims collected through mobile devices, in-car devices, and vehicles themselves, Arity derives unique insights that help insurers, developers, marketers, and communities understand and predict driving behavior at scale. To learn more, visit arity.com.

About the survey
Arity survey results reflect self-reported survey responses and consumer opinions and may not be representative of all drivers. References to driving scores, savings, pricing, driving improvement or safety outcomes reflect survey responses and do not guarantee individual results. Actual results vary.

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SOURCE Arity