The dangers of texting and driving are well-known, but a new report reveals a disturbing trend among young drivers in Australia. According to the NRSW 2026 Australian Driving Behaviour Report, a staggering 50% of Gen Z drivers admit to taking photos or videos while driving, while 40% of Millennials confess to the same behavior. This is despite the fact that almost two-thirds of Gen Z drivers and more than half of Millennials admitted to reading texts while stopped at red lights. The problem may be exacerbated by the short attention spans of young people, who are more likely to be glued to their phones due to the prevalence of short-form content platforms like TikTok and Instagram. As a result, drivers are quick to reach for their phones once a notification pops up, with 30% of Gen Z drivers and 28% of Millennials checking their phone within minutes of receiving a notification while behind the wheel. This is not just limited to texting and snapping photos; scrolling social media and watching YouTube videos while driving is becoming an increasingly common sight. While 92% of surveyed motorists agree that this habit is dangerous, frustrated drivers report regularly witnessing other road users glued to their screens. One Reddit post captured a driver mindlessly scrolling through Instagram while stopped at a traffic light, sparking a wave of online outrage over the dangerous habit. This is a serious issue, as it not only endangers the driver but also other road users. The consequences of being caught using a phone while driving are severe, with fines ranging from $410 to more than $1,000, and drivers can also lose up to 10 demerit points, depending on the state. National Road Safety Week founder Peter Frazer OAM said that awareness campaigns alone are failing to change behavior among younger motorists. He believes that self-regulation is not enough, and that people need to actively protect everyone on the road ahead. This is a choice that we can all make, because everyone has a right to get home safe, every day, with no exceptions. It's time for a more comprehensive approach to tackling this issue, one that goes beyond awareness campaigns and focuses on changing behavior through education and enforcement.
