The "gig economy" has dramatically changed how we do business. From ride sharing to food delivery to content creation, gig work has become commonplace. “Side hustles” have been on the rise since around 2020, when many people had to find a quick means of making cash during quarantine and lockdown -- and, coincidentally, lots of people needed delivery service. Statistics from TechTarget offer some fascinating insights:
In 2021, 16% of surveyed US adults earned money through digital gig platforms. Of these, making deliveries is the most common, with ride-sharing tied with household tasks for second place.
Gig work is more common among people under 30, and 30% of them report making money through gig platforms.
As one of the more popular side hustles, delivery driving and ride-sharing are effective ways to make cash on the side -- but they also come with risks and drawbacks. Traffic accidents and fatalities from distracted driving have been on the rise since the pandemic lockdowns of 2020, accounting for approximately 3,000 deaths every year for the last four years. Unfortunately, gig drivers account for many of these accidents because of the increased dependence on smartphone apps while working. But how bad is this problem, and can it be addressed?
Are Gig Workers the Worst at Distracted Driving?
Are the numbers on distracted driving for gig workers that bad? Unfortunately, the answer is an unqualified yes. According to a survey from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, gig workers who drive as part of their job are four times more likely to use smartphone apps while driving than other motorists. Combine this with numbers from the NHSA about distracted driving, and you have some truly sobering results: Cell phone use is involved in about 12% of all car accidents, and distracted driving accounts for 9% of traffic fatalities. While that number may not seem high, it results in thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries per year.
What exactly are people doing with their phones while on the road? Typical distractions include:
Streaming music
Texting or reading/sending emails
Programming the GPS
Video calls or watching videos
Using mobile apps or games
Interacting with social media
This is in addition to any work-based distractions unique to gig workers, such as receiving updates from potential customers, opening and closing requests, etc.
Dangers and Consequences of Distracted Driving
Why are gig workers so high-risk compared to other drivers? First, there's the fact that their job often requires them to be on the phone while in their vehicle. But that's not the end of the story. As previously mentioned, most gig workers are under the age of 30, and because so many younger drivers have grown up with cell phones and use them so frequently, they may overestimate their ability to maintain their concentration on the road while handling texts, calls, navigation, and other activity. The numbers from The Zebra’s Distracted Driving Report bear this out: 74% of Gen Z say they adjust a GPS device while driving, and 55% of Millennials and Gen Z admit to texting while behind the wheel, even knowing that it's both illegal and dangerous.
How to Minimize Distractions
Numerous studies have shown that driving while using a mobile device increases the probability of an accident. The IIHS estimates that the odds of getting in a traffic accident are two to six times greater than normal when using a mobile device in some way.
Not only is it dangerous, but it's also illegal in many state -- the IIHS tracks electronic device laws across the US, where several states restrict the use of mobile devices while driving (even hands-free devices) and several states have outright banned the use of any electronic devices for younger drivers while they're behind the wheel.
While there's no easy way to completely forsake your mobile device while driving -- especially if you drive for work -- there are a few strategies for minimizing distractions in other ways.
Try to focus fully on driving as much as possible, including scanning the road, using your mirrors, and watching for foot traffic.
Finish getting ready before you leave home, rather than doing makeup or other activities in the car.
Minimize eating and drinking in the car, particularly when it comes to messy or difficult foods that could prove extra distracting behind the wheel.
While it's tough to comply with "never touch your cell phone while driving," do what you can to minimize it as much as possible, perhaps using it while parked or at a stoplight.
If at all possible, put your phone in do-not-disturb mode during your trip.
Consider enrolling in a telematics program that will evaluate your driving and give you a clearer picture of just how safe a driver you are (or aren't).
Take a defensive driving course to improve your skills.