Key Facts:
- NRSW 2026 National Driving Behaviour report commissioned ahead of National Road Safety Week 2026
- 92% of Australian drivers agree mobile phone use while driving is dangerous
- Half of Gen Z drivers (50%) and 40% of Millennials admit to taking photos or videos while driving
- Almost two-thirds of Gen Z drivers (63%) and more than half of Millennials (52%) read texts at red lights
- More than one in three Australians (39%) would support banning phones from cars while driving, with 45% of Gen Z and 43% of Millennials and Gen X agreeing.
- National Road Safety Week runs from 17 to 24 May 2026
AUSTRALIA, 13 May 2026: Almost every Australian driver believes mobile phone use behind the wheel is dangerous, yet almost one-third of Gen Z (30%) and Millennial (28%) motorists report checking notifications within minutes of receiving them while driving, according to a new survey released today to mark National Road Safety Week 2026.
The most striking finding from the NRSW 2026 Australian Driving Behaviour Report is the gulf between beliefs and behaviour. Most drivers (92%) agree that using a mobile phone while driving is dangerous, yet almost two-thirds of Gen Z (63%) and half of Millennial (52%) drivers read texts at red lights. Half of Gen Z respondents (50%) and 40% of Millennials admit to taking a photo or video while behind the wheel.
Victorian drivers are most likely to check their phones within a few minutes of receiving a notification (25%), followed by New South Wales (23%), West Australia (16%), Queensland (15%) and South Australia (8%).
Over one-third of all respondents (39%) said they would support banning phones from cars while driving, a figure that is even higher among younger age groups with 45% of Gen Z, 43% of Millennials, and 43% of Gen X in agreement.
“This research shows that awareness campaigns alone aren’t working for younger drivers,” comments the founder of National Road Safety Week, Peter Frazer OAM. “They believe phone use is dangerous, but they continue to do it. Self-regulation is clearly not enough. And people agree.
“For National Road Safety Week 2026, we are focusing on distraction. We are asking all drivers to choose to put down their phones, clear their minds, and give the road the full attention it demands. Distraction costs lives, and our only job at the wheel is to actively protect everyone on the road ahead. That is a choice we can all make, because everyone has a right to get home safe, every day, with no exceptions,” he adds.
State by state: who’s eating, who’s angriest, and who’s overconfident?
Nationally, eating a meal was identified as the top distraction by 35% of drivers, more than double the rate of mobile phone use (14%) and more than double the rate of arguing with a passenger (13%).
South Australia leads the states and territories for phone use as a top distraction (19%), while Victorians lead with having a heated argument (15%). In New South Wales, the top distraction was singing or dancing to music (10%), while in Queensland it was watching something on screen (10%).
New South Wales drivers are the most overconfident, with 62% rating themselves better than average, compared to just 51% in South Australia. 61% of Victorians feel they are better off than 59% of West Australians and 57% of Queenslanders.
Victorian drivers are Australia’s angriest, with 29% admitting they are often or sometimes frustrated when driving, followed by 27% in New South Wales and Western Australia, 26% in South Australia, and 23% in Queensland.
Australia turns yellow next week. Please join us.
National Road Safety Week 2026 takes place from 17 to 24 May. Across Australia, iconic landmarks, bridges, and roads will light up in yellow to remember those we have lost on the roads. Government, emergency services, not-for-profit organisations, and commercial partners have created a range of educational and community experiences focused on road safety in Australia.
Australians are asked to look for activities they can do in their local area or on social media and make an online pledge to drive safely so others survive at www.roadsafetyweek.com.au.
About us:
About National Road Safety Week:
National Road Safety Week is an annual initiative from the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group, partnering with government, emergency services, road safety organisations and business to promote road safety. The week highlights the impact of road trauma and ways to reduce it. Join thousands of Australian drivers and make the pledge to drive so others survive at https://roadsafetyweek.com.au/
Contact details:
Spokesperson: Peter Frazer, OAM, 0466 968 700, [email protected]
Media manager: Louise Nealon, 0403 569 177, [email protected]
