New study: iPhone users drive worse than Android users

Android users are the better drivers – at least that’s what a new study from the USA claims. There they always prevailed against iPhone users in a total of six driving categories. Surprisingly, they also defied demographic trends.

That Car insurance comparison site Jerry recently published a study on driving safety, reports Android Authority. The study focused on comparing the driving skills of Android and iPhone users. The comparison portal had 20,000 drivers complete a 13-kilometer course and rated driving skills in six categories: overall driving safety, distraction, speed, turning, acceleration, braking. The big surprise: Android users were able to prevail over iPhone users in all categories.

iPhone owners weaker than Android users in every category

In the turning, acceleration and braking categories, the skills of the drivers differ only slightly. Android users are ahead with two points each. There are larger differences in the other three categories. In the speed class, Android users prevail with 83 to 78 points. In the overall categories of distraction and driving safety, the difference between Android and iPhone users is greatest with six points.

“Android singles” fare better than married iPhone owners

The study was not limited to the pure comparison of Android and iPhone users, but brought other interesting results to light. As a result, “elderly, married people who own homes, live in the Midwest, have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and have a high credit rating” are the safest drivers.

Another surprise: Android users beat iPhone owners even when they should actually be inferior to them based on demographic values. Usually, single people are worse drivers than married people. However, in the study, “Android singles” performed better than married iPhone users. And when it comes to driving safety, people with a high level of education usually do better than people with a low level of education. However, according to the study, even Android users without a high school diploma are better drivers than iPhone users with an advanced degree.

Why are Android users supposedly better drivers?

The makers of the study do not have a clear answer to this question. It could possibly be due to driving styles. Here the researchers distinguish between a rule-based and an emotionally based style. Other studies have already shown that Android users tend to be more conscientious, honest and less likely to break rules. In contrast, iPhone users have been shown to show more emotionality, which can lead to more unpredictable behavior.