Distracted driving is an epidemic on America‘s roadways. We‘ve all seen it – drivers with eyes glued to their phones instead of the road ahead. Maybe you‘ve even given in to the temptation yourself to check a text at a red light or respond to a call "just this once."
But the statistics don‘t lie. When drivers divert attention to devices, they put themselves and others in grave danger. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 3,100 lives were lost in the United States in 2020 due to distracted driving crashes.
As a professional focused on cybersecurity and technology issues, I felt compelled to take a deep dive into the latest data and trends around distracted driving in America. What emerges is a sobering picture of how this preventable behavior continues destroying lives each year. But awareness and education remain our best weapons to reverse the tide.
Join me in examining key texting and driving statistics, unpacking the risks, and outlining ways we can work together to reduce the distractions plaguing America‘s roadways.
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By the Numbers: Key Statistics on U.S. Distracted Driving Fatalities
Let‘s start by looking at some key nationwide figures from 2020, as reported by the NHTSA:
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3,142 fatalities attributed to distracted driving crashes
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8.1% of all traffic deaths involved distracted drivers
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Age 15-29: 42% of all people killed in distraction-related crashes
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1 in 4 fatal crashes: involved cell phone use by the driver
These numbers have held relatively steady over the past 5 years, though 2017 saw a concerning spike in distraction-related deaths to 3,450.
Some individual states like California and Florida recorded over 300 distraction-related fatalities each in 2020. But no area is immune – police reports show distracted drivers are crashing and claiming lives everywhere from backroads to six-lane highways.
Examining the Data: Deaths, Injuries and Other Distracted Driving Statistics
Beyond the disheartening big picture numbers, drilling down into distracted driving data reveals more about its specific dangers.
Deaths Caused by Texting and Driving
Over the 5 years from 2015-2020, an average of 3,163 people lost their lives annually in distraction-related motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. This translates to nearly 9 people killed every day due to drivers not paying attention.
As mentioned earlier, certain demographics are overrepresented. Shockingly, 7% of ALL teen driving deaths are linked to distracted driving, per the NHTSA. Their lack of experience combined with phone obsession contributes to tragedy.
Injuries from Motor Accidents While Distracted
While fatalities understandably capture headlines, injury wrecks are far more common. An estimated 390,000 people per year suffer injuries significant enough to report from distracted driving crashes.
Even minor wrecks inflict pain and financial costs. When you consider applying makeup, eating, or punching in GPS coordinates also count as "distracted driving", the opportunities for disaster are endless.
Other Startling Statistics
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25% of teens admit to responding to at least one text while driving, with 20% confessing to having multi-text conversations (UMTRI, 2013)
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48% of drivers admit to answering cell calls while driving, despite the obvious impairment (NHTSA, 2011)
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1 in 4 traffic accidents involve cell phone use by a driver (NHTSA, 2013)
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Normal driving abilities are impaired when someone‘s blood alcohol content (BAC) hits .08%. Shockingly, texting impairs driving skills more than a .08% BAC. (Carnegie Mellon, 2008)
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94% of teen drivers acknowledge the dangers of texting and driving, but 35% admit to doing it anyway. (AAA, 2013)
Any assumption that drivers can multitask and "handle" a quick text or call is proven false by cold, hard evidence. We are not as talented at dividing attention as we may think.
Why Legislation Alone Cannot Curb Distracted Driving
In response to the epidemic of distracted driving, most states have enacted bans on cell phone use for drivers. Fines and license points provide some deterrent effect, but enforcement remains challenging. It‘s difficult for police to witness texting drivers in the act.
While bans help, legislation alone cannot overcome the human habit of reaching for phones behind the wheel. Put bluntly by safety expert Bob Davis – "Every time the cell phone rings or buzzes, dopamine is released in the brain, so we‘re basically conditioned to pay attention to these notifications."
Plus, drivers continually find loopholes and justifications like dialing from the lap instead of handheld.
This is where we must fill the gap with education and peer accountability. Parents must model safe habits, while all drivers need reminder of risks from regular safety campaigns. Apps can restrict phone functionality while driving as an added safeguard.
How Can We Curb Distracted Driving? It Starts with You.
Reviewing the data on distracted driving deaths and injuries saddened but also motivated me. Clearly, more work remains to change attitudes and habits among all drivers. Here are a few tips I‘ve found helpful for keeping focus on the road:
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Silence phone notifications for all apps before starting your trip
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Pull over safely to perform any calls/texts you deem necessary
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Set phone out of reach as a physical barrier – backseat or trunk work well
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Ask passengers to help handle phone interactions
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Only use hands-free voice commands if your vehicle has them
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Adjust comfort features like music, GPS, temperature, etc. before pulling out
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Limit snacking and hot beverages that could spill and cause distraction
Of course, the safest option is no phone interaction at all while driving. But implementing even a few of these tips can help reduce temptation.
Peer encouragement is also powerful. For teens, speak up if your friends are handling their phones behind the wheel. Offer to be their designated "texter" for driving trips. Small gestures show you care. For parents of new drivers, lead by example to foster safe habits early on.
There‘s Too Much at Stake
Reviewing page after page of data on distracted driving fatalities was sobering. But it reinforces how much work remains to change mindsets and behaviors. Next time you‘re tempted to reach for your buzzing phone behind the wheel, remember that in the blink of an eye, lives are destroyed.
Your text can wait. Stay focused, stay safe, and help all drivers do the same. Together, we can work to reverse these alarming statistics and save lives.
