Cambridge Mobile Telematics and AAA reveal increased risky driving data during spring break

As millions of Americans prepare to hit the road for spring break, AAA and Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) are encouraging travelers to stay alert behind the wheel, offering a new analysis that shows an increase in risky driving during this high-travel period.

AAA partnered with CMT to analyze speeding and distracted driving during the last two weeks of March 2025, compared to the weeks immediately before and after the spring break period.

The analysis shows increases in speeding and distraction at certain times of day throughout the period. CMT considered the amount of time drivers spent traveling at least 9 miles per hour over the speed limit during spring break 2025.

On weekdays, speeding surged by more than 10% from 3-6 p.m. On weekends, there was a consistent increase in speeding throughout the afternoon and early evening.

The largest spike in speeding occurred at 6 p.m. on Fridays, with a 21.2% increase as drivers head out of town.

Speeding increased by 8.7% between noon and 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 2.4% during the same timeframe on Sundays.

Sundays saw the most speeding of any day of the week, but the spring break increase is less pronounced because speeding was also high on non-spring break Sundays.

The analysis notes that speeding often rises over the holidays as motorists try to beat the crowds or avoid falling behind schedule.

Distracted driving increased slightly in the evening hours, rising 2-4% from 7-11 p.m. each day of the week. Nighttime driving is already more dangerous than daytime driving, so the danger of any additional distraction is compounded, the analysis states.

The data shows 3.5% more distraction on Fridays, 2.5% more on Saturdays, and 3.7% more on Sundays compared to 7 to 11 p.m. on non-spring break weekends.

“Spring break should be a time for joy and unforgettable happy moments, but one glance at a phone can change everything,” said Doug Shupe, AAA’s corporate communications manager, in a press release. “No text, scroll, or notification is worth the pain of losing someone you love. Stay focused, put the phone down, and help ensure every family’s spring break ends in celebration — not heartbreak.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that in 2023, speeding was a factor in 10% of all crashes and in 30% of fatal crashes.

Distracted driving claims more than 3,000 lives each year, the release states. AAA and CMT urge drivers to plan ahead by ensuring regular vehicle maintenance is completed, such as getting the oil changed, testing battery health, rotating tires, and checking tire tread and inflation; leave early, and put phones out of reach. AAA also recommends bringing a spare key and packing an emergency kit that includes first-aid, tools, food, and water.

Smartphones are a major contributor to distracted driving, but distraction also includes things like talking to passengers, using in-car infotainment systems, and eating and drinking behind the wheel, according to the analysis.

“Spring break travel creates a perfect storm of risk, tight schedules, heavy traffic, and more drivers on unfamiliar roads,” said Matt Fiorentino, CMT’s vice president of marketing, in the release. “Our data shows that even small increases in speeding and distraction can significantly elevate crash risk. Slowing down and staying focused can save lives.”

Images

Featured image provided by Cambridge Mobile Telematics