Distracted driving linked to rising insurance costs amid increase in traffic violations

Driving violations have increased by 17% since 2019, according to a recent report from LexisNexis. The rise in violations is occurring as more people return to office work and spend additional time commuting.

“We are seeing trends where more people are returning to the office. With more time on the road, exposure to violations naturally rises,” said Mallory Mooney, director of sales and services at Insurify. “Some experts argue that enforcement hasn’t kept pace with new types of violations, particularly around technology use.”

The increase in driving infractions has direct implications for insurance costs. “Driving violations are one of the strongest signals insurers use when setting rates,” Mooney explained. “A single violation — whether it’s speeding, running a red light, or texting while driving — can increase premiums because it indicates higher risk of future accidents or claims.”

Distracted driving includes any behavior that diverts attention from operating a vehicle, such as using a phone, eating, drinking, or interacting with in-car entertainment and navigation systems. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving was responsible for 13% of all accidents in 2023, resulting in 324,819 injuries and 3,275 deaths.

“Smartphone use, in-car entertainment, and even navigation systems continue to be major contributors to distracted driving,” Mooney stated. “Insurers and safety organizations consistently flag this as one of the fastest-growing risks.” LexisNexis data shows that drivers aged 16 to 45 accounted for 72% of all distracted driving violations in 2024.

Safety features like lane assist and blind-spot monitoring are designed to help prevent accidents but may also encourage some drivers to take more risks. “Distraction is the norm … the technology is better in vehicles,” Mooney said. “This could lead us to make riskier maneuvers where limited visibility or safety features might not have allowed such bold decisions when driving.”

Violations have a significant impact on car insurance rates. According to Mooney, “A minor speeding ticket might raise your rate modestly, while major violations, such as reckless driving, driving under the influence, or repeated infractions, can cause premiums to rise dramatically.” Major speeding violations rose by 16%, and minor speeding violations increased by 25% since late 2023; these figures represent increases of 38% and 21%, respectively, compared with rates from 2019.

DUI convictions saw an overall increase of 8%, with those aged between 60 and 99 experiencing the highest jump. This comes after decades of decline since the early 1980s. DUIs can significantly affect insurance costs: average full-coverage premiums may rise from $199 per month to $327 following a conviction.

Currently, most states have laws restricting cell phone use while driving: thirty-one states ban all handheld cell phone usage behind the wheel and forty-nine prohibit texting while driving.

Mooney recommends drivers prepare before starting their trip: “Set yourself up for success: Get the playlist set ahead of time, get a good co-pilot for longer trips, put the destination in the navigation before you leave, [and] make sure your phone is away or stored out of sight.”

LexisNexis suggests that insurers adopt telematics-based safe driving discounts and implement targeted safety programs for drivers.