• Research led by Allianz Group’s, Allianz Centre for Technology found 67%² of surveyed Australians who reported causing or partly causing a crash said distraction definitely or possibly played a role, with multiple data sources identifying distraction as a contributing factor in crashes.
• Three in four surveyed Australians (75%)³ believe distractions from in-vehicle technologies have increased in recent years, and nearly a third (29%)⁴ have experienced a critical situation while using a vehicle touchscreen.
• More than two thirds of surveyed Australians (67%)⁵ want some vehicle functions accessible via physical controls, such as buttons and rotary controls, rather than touchscreen-only menus.
• Allianz is calling for vehicle manufacturers to design driver cabins around the reality of driving, regulators and enforcement to measure and manage the risk of distracted driving, and for drivers to keep their attention firmly on the road.

New global research by Allianz Group, led by the Allianz Centre for Technology (AZT), has found Australian drivers are increasingly concerned about the role technology is playing in driver distraction. Many survey respondents reported concerns about both smartphone use and the growing reliance on in-vehicle touchscreens.

The findings were presented at Allianz Motor Day 2026, Allianz Group's annual international mobility summit held in Munich, Germany, where leading experts in road safety, vehicle technology and insurance explored the growing challenges of driver distraction in an increasingly digital driving environment. The AZT analysed more than 34,000 crash cases, ran eye-tracking studies in real vehicles and carried out a driving simulator study with the Technical University of Munich. The program also included cognitive modelling of critical traffic situations, an international driver survey and a review of more than 80 published studies.

Reflecting these concerns locally, 75%⁶ of surveyed Australians believe distractions from in-vehicle technologies have increased in recent years, while 41%⁷ rate the overall risk of driver distraction as high or very high.

One in five surveyed Australian drivers (20%)⁸ reported causing or partly causing a crash in the past three years. Of those drivers, 67%⁹ said distraction definitely, or possibly played a role. Reflecting growing concern about the issue, more than half (56%)¹⁰ support stronger penalties for using a smartphone while driving.

These Australian findings mirror Allianz Group's broader research, presented at Allianz Motor Day 2026, which found distraction is involved in approximately one in three road crashes in Germany, either as the immediate trigger of a collision or as a contributing factor. The findings suggest distraction may play a far greater role in road trauma than traditional crash reporting and accident statistics have historically captured.

The research highlights growing concern around vehicle touchscreen interfaces. Many functions that were once operated instinctively through physical buttons and dials are now accessed through touchscreen menus, often requiring multiple interactions for routine tasks such as adjusting air conditioning, changing audio settings or entering navigation details. Allianz's research suggests these additional interactions can increase the amount of time drivers spend looking away from the road, creating new road safety challenges as vehicle technology evolves.

Nearly a third of surveyed Australian drivers (29%)¹¹ reported experiencing a critical situation, such as hard braking, a near miss or a crash, while using a vehicle touchscreen. In response, more than two-thirds (67%)¹² said they would prefer some vehicle functions to remain accessible via physical buttons or dials rather than exclusively through touchscreen menus. Support for physical controls was particularly strong among younger drivers, rising to 72%¹³ among surveyed Australians aged 18 to 25.

Smartphone use also remains a significant risk, with 35%¹⁴ of Australian drivers admitting they have typed messages on a handheld phone while driving at least occasionally.

Luke Whenman, Chief Claims Officer at Allianz Australia, says the findings highlight how driver distraction continues to evolve alongside vehicle technology.

"At Allianz, we're focused on driver distraction because it's one of the most significant and preventable road safety risks for Australians. While mobile phones continue to be a major source of distraction, many drivers are also telling us they're concerned about the increasing complexity of in-vehicle technology and the attention it can demand. Technology should support safer driving, not compete for a driver's attention. As vehicles become more digital, safety and usability must remain at the centre of vehicle design."

Concern about distracted driving is also translating into support for stronger action, with Australians backing a range of measures aimed at reducing distraction behind the wheel.

While 88%¹⁵ of Australian respondents believe drivers themselves are primarily responsible for reducing distraction behind the wheel, more than half (56%)¹⁶ support stronger penalties for distracted driving and 41%¹⁷ support technical restrictions on complex vehicle controls while a vehicle is in motion.

Peter Frazer OAM, President and founder of Safer Australian Roads and Highways (known as the SARAH Group), says minimising driver distraction requires action not only from drivers, but also from industry and policymakers alike.

"Road trauma doesn't end when a crash occurs… often, this is just the start. The impacts are not only felt by those injured or killed, but also by grieving loved ones, families, friends, workplaces and indeed, entire communities. We've seen far too many examples of lives being changed in an instant because someone's attention shifted away from the road.

"While drivers have a critical role to play in staying focused behind the wheel, minimising distraction specifically requires continued improvements from vehicle designers, manufacturers and policymakers. Every decision that ensures drivers stay focused on the road ahead contributes to safer journeys for all Australians. And our reason is simple: everyone has a right to get home safe… every day… no exceptions."

Chris Wood, Emerging Risks Manager at Allianz Australia, says understanding how emerging technologies influence driver behaviour is an important part of anticipating future road safety risks.

"At Allianz, we're closely monitoring how new technologies influence driver behaviour. Our research shows that even brief moments of distraction can have serious consequences. At just 50 kilometres per hour, a vehicle travels almost 14 metres every second. Looking away from the road for three seconds to adjust a setting, enter a destination or search for a song means travelling more than 40 metres without fully watching the road ahead. In that distance, a driver could miss slowing traffic, a cyclist changing position or a pedestrian stepping into the roadway.

"The purpose of this report is to uncover behaviours and help Australians reduce distractions while on the road. To prepare, drivers should always program navigation, adjust settings and familiarise themselves with key vehicle functions before setting off. For manufacturers, it's a reminder that design plays an important role in road safety, particularly as vehicles continue to become more technologically advanced. Technology has enormous potential to improve the driving experience and safety outcomes, but it's important that innovation continues to support driver attention and confidence on the road."

See below additional quotes from the global Allianz Motor Day – International Mobility Summit 2026 panel, providing global perspectives on driver distraction, in-vehicle technology and the role of vehicle design in improving road safety:

• From Dr. Klaus-Peter Röhler, Member of the Board of Management of Allianz SE, Insurance German Speaking Countries, Central Europe, Global Property & Casualty: "Our research shows that the same task can require up to 25% less visual attention in one vehicle than in another. That tells us something important: distraction is not just a question of driver behaviour. It is also a question of design. A car is not a smartphone. When safety is at stake, function must come before design.”
  
  o Read the keynote at the Allianz Motor Day 2026. 

• From Dr. Christian Sahr, Head of the Allianz Centre for Technology (AZT): “To ensure safe vehicle operation, clear recommendations are needed on which functions should be controlled via physical switches and which via touchscreen. At the same time, scientific insights into human-machine interaction should be applied consistently to design touchscreen interfaces that distract drivers as little as possible from the road.”

View the full report from Allianz Group.

Allianz Group: The Allianz Centre for Technology (AZT) conducted its most comprehensive research program on driver distraction to date, from January to June 2026. It analysed more than 34,000 crash cases, ran eye-tracking studies in real vehicles and carried out a driving simulator study with the Technical University of Munich. The program also included cognitive modelling of critical traffic situations, an international driver survey, and a review of more than 80 published studies. General population survey conducted by Driven by GmbH and the AZT in nine countries including Australia; 1,200 respondents per country. The findings were presented at the 14th Allianz Motor Day and are published in the report “SWIPE. TAP. CRASH. Driver distraction in the digital car.”

1. 67% of surveyed Australians involved in a self-caused crash say distraction definitely (30%) or possibly (37%) played a role. 
2. 67% of surveyed Australians involved in a self-caused crash say distraction definitely (30%) or possibly (37%) played a role. 
3. 75% of surveyed Australians believe distraction from in-vehicle technologies has increased in recent years.
4. 29% of surveyed Australians report at least one critical situation caused by touchscreen use while driving.
5. 67% of surveyed Australians would prefer certain vehicle functions to be operated via classic controls.
6. 75% of surveyed Australians believe distraction from in-vehicle technologies has increased in recent years.
7. 41% of surveyed Australians rate the general risk of distraction in road traffic as high or very high.
8. 20% of surveyed Australians report having caused or partly caused a road traffic accident within the past three years.
9. 67% of surveyed Australians involved in a self-caused crash say distraction definitely (30%) or possibly (37%) played a role.
10. 56% of surveyed Australians support higher fines for using a smartphone while driving.
11. 29% of surveyed Australians report at least one critical situation caused by touchscreen use while driving.
12. 67% of surveyed Australians would prefer certain vehicle functions to be operated via classic controls.
13. 72% of surveyed Australians aged between 18-25 years’ old would prefer certain vehicle functions to be operated via classic controls.
14. 35% of surveyed Australians report using their smartphone in hand at least "rarely" to write messages while driving.
15. 88% of surveyed Australians see drivers themselves as primarily responsible for reducing distraction.
16. 56% of surveyed Australians support higher fines for using a smartphone while driving.
17. 41% of surveyed Australians support technical restrictions on complex in-vehicle controls while driving.