TREND 3
Driving violations continue to escalate

Moving Violations Rise

Driving violation rates across the U.S. surpassed 2019 levels in 2024. Major speeding, minor speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence (DUI) and overall violations continue to rise, with all driving violations rising 17% year-over-year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2024 traffic fatalities decreased by 3.8% from 2023, to a total of 39,345.¹This is still 11% higher than the average for the decade preceding COVID, signaling that traffic safety continues to be a major concern throughout the United States.

Miles driven per vehicle increased slightly in 2024, coming in at 1.3% higher than 2022 and 1.6% higher than 2023.¹ As more people return to the office, the impact of further growth in miles driven may need to be monitored more closely. Following similar increases in violations over the last few years, insurers who haven’t updated their underwriting rules may be leaving premium dollars on the table.

Major speeding, minor speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence (DUI) and overall violations continue to rise, with all driving violations rising 17% year-over-year.

_¹_{^{NHTSA Releases 2023 Traffic Deaths, 2024 Estimates}}

Speeding Violations

Our data shows that major speeding violations continue to rise compared to patterns seen with the initial COVID lockdowns. More recently, starting in the fourth quarter of 2023, we are now seeing major and minor speeding violations increase significantly above 2019 incident volumes.

Major speeding violations rose

16%

(38% higher since 2019).

Minor speeding violations climbed

25%

(21% higher since 2019).

_{Source: LexisNexis® Risk Solutions internal data, 2025}

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Violations

DUI violations grew another 8% over 2023 levels. This increase continues a dangerous trend that has escalated every year since the pandemic, reversing a downward trend dating back to the early 1980s.

States are actively updating their DUI laws to address potential gaps and enhance enforcement. For example, in New York State, the government has proposed legislation to strengthen drugged-driving laws by expanding the universe of prosecutable substances, authorizing penalties for refusal to participate in testing, enabling prompt license suspensions, and broadening the circumstances under which chemical tests can be compelled.¹

Surprisingly, drivers in the 66-90 age group have had the highest jump in DUI violations in the last few years. While not the largest by volume, drivers in this cohort had the highest increase in DUI violations through the first three quarters of 2024. The largest age group contributing to the overall DUI violation volume is the 26-35 age group.

_{Source: LexisNexis® Risk Solutions internal data, 2025}

_¹_{^{https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/new-york-drugged-driving-loophole-proposed-bill/}}

Distracted Driving Violations

Drivers with distracted driving violations have increased 50% from 2023 to 2024 (comparing the first three quarters of each year). In 2024, a projected 3,000 people were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers.¹ More than 400,000 injuries were also caused by distracted driver incidents for that same year.

Considered a minor violation by many insurers, a distracted driving violation may not be so minor. The loss cost associated with a person who has a distracted driving violation is 108% higher than for someone with no violations. Therefore, a distracted driver is more likely to have a future claim. Drivers in the 16-45 age group generate 72% of distracted driving violations in the U.S. More specifically, drivers aged 26-36 generate 49% of distracted driving violations.

_{Source: LexisNexis® Risk Solutions internal data, 2025}

_¹_{^{Distracted Driving Statistics for 2024: A Year in Review | Mooney Law}}

Mobile phone usage while driving continues to be a significant contributor to distracted driving. Texting while driving is particularly dangerous¹. Many states have enacted and strengthened distracted driving laws, including bans on handheld device use and increased penalties for violations.²

As insurers navigate the potential implications of these trends on premiums and claims, they can turn to various strategies to help mitigate losses, including, but not limited to, telematics discounts for safe drivers and targeted driver education programs. To help uncover additional segmentation opportunities, auto insurers can use internal and external data to apportion major speeding violations into more granular increments to help maintain proper price-to-risk.

_¹_{^{Distracted Driving Statistics for 2024: A Year in Review | Mooney Law}}_²_{^{Rafi Law Group, 2024}}

Mobile phone usage while driving continues to be a significant contributor to distracted driving.

Trend 3

Key Takeaways

1. Driving violations have steadily increased each year since 2021.

2. While drivers aged 26-35 generate the most DUI violations, the growth rate for DUI violations is highest among drivers over the age of 66.

3. Some minor violations, such as distracted driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and showing up for a court appearance have major implications, increasing the likelihood of a future claim.

1. Driving violations have steadily increased each year since 2021.

2. While drivers aged 26-35 generate the most DUI violations, the growth rate for DUI violations is highest among drivers over the age of 66.

3. Some minor violations, such as distracted driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and showing up for a court appearance have major implications, increasing the likelihood of a future claim.