Driving Under Stress

Dramatizations shown throughout. Do not attempt.

Stress can increase your risk of crashing.¹

Woman in Green Shirt Stressed Out Near Her Laptop

We all know that our phones, passengers and other drivers can be major distractions behind the wheel. But research has discovered a new risk factor on the road: Stress. In fact, stressed driving can be as risky as texting on a hand-held phone while driving¹. That’s why GM is dedicated to providing solutions to support safe driving behaviors.

How our Emotions Impact Us

1/3

of people have pulled over because they felt too emotional to drive³

40%

of drivers feel more anxious driving than they did before the pandemic³

54%

of people have cried while driving³

Based on responses from GM Future of Safety Study 2022.

The Impact on Young Drivers

In GM’s ‘Future of Safety’ study,
65% of 16-34 year-olds reported feeling angry or upset while driving

COVID-19 pandemic effects on adolescents⁴:

Increased stress and anxiety
More "free" (idle) time
Consumption of drugs and alcohol
Greater opportunities for speeding and stunt driving

How GM Helps

Our holistic approach to safety is how we try to address and help improve driving under stress through research, technology and advocacy.

Tracking driver’s attention

General Motors has developed Super Cruise*™⁵, a driver assistance technology that helps detect when drivers are not paying attention to the road ahead. The industry-first Driver Attention System monitors the driver’s focus under certain conditions to ensure attention to the road is maintained.

A small camera located on the top of the steering column and works with infrared lights to determine where the driver is looking whenever Super Cruise is in operation.
If the system detects the driver is not paying attention to the road, the driver will be prompted to return their attention to the road. With continued inattentiveness, visible, audible or haptic alerts will notify the driver to take back control of the wheel.

*Available on select GM Models

Advancements in autonomous capabilities

Looking into the future, GM is also developing autonomous technologies intended to replace the driver altogether. Autonomous vehicle technology could have the potential, over time, to help reduce fatalities related to driver distraction and driver error.

High decibels. Low stress.

In April 2022, General Motors launched the #ScreamItOut challenge on TikTok to raise awareness about the role of stress on distracted driving.

The stress less checklist

With the DoSomething.org program, powered by GM, a campaign was created to encourage teens to assess their mental health by building a checklist to help stay safe and calm on the road. The result? Nearly 170,000 checklists were made and shared⁶.

The care and comfort of human connection

We know it can be hard to ask for help. Especially when stress takes over. With available OnStar® and the available OnStar Guardian™ app⁷, specially trained OnStar Advisors are there for you 24/7 to route you to a safe place during a panic attack, connect you to suicide prevention and even put you in touch with loved ones. Don’t wait to ask for help. Just push your available red Emergency button in your car⁸ or the OnStar Guardian app.

Learn More

Self-Care Behind The Wheel

Graphic of Calming Blue Music Notes

Calming music

Researchers at Stanford University have found that listening to music seems to be able to change brain functioning to the same extent as medication. This is because music around 60 bpm can cause the brain to synchronize with the beat causing alpha brainwaves, the same brainwave frequency present when we are relaxed and conscious⁹.

Graphic of Red Heart

Activate your empathy

Try to take a moment after those deep breaths to humanize and empathize with the other drivers on the road. They are under stress, too.

Graphic of Simple Green Head and Brain

Take a deep breath

Inhaling through our nose and into our bellies is a proven way to reduce stress. This is because when you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax.¹⁰

A vision of zero crashes

GM is committed to helping create a future with zero crashes.

Get the full story

GM looks at safety from a variety of angles. That’s why we’ve created an ongoing series of infographics that explore many aspects of road safety and what GM is doing to advance a safe world for all.