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Distracted driving is a major problem in the United States in regard to auto accidents. Distracted driving involves any event where the operator of the motor vehicle is not fully focused on the road and has their attention placed elsewhere. These distractions can range from changing the station on the radio to checking on a passenger. But in recent years almost all of us would agree that the number one distraction is the electronic mobile device. We have become so attached to these devices because they are our number one link to people in our lives. They are also providers of a large portion of entertainment consumed. In fact, studies have shown that they are physically addictive. Our brain actually relies on them for tiny hits of dopamine. This means there is a chemical reward in your brain every time you check the device. Mix these facts with operating a motor vehicle and you have a recipe for a potential disaster. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distraction-affected crashes accounted for 8% of all fatal crashes, 13% of injury crashes, and 13% of all police-reported traffic crashes in 2023. As many as 3,275 fatalities were directly attributed to drivers being distracted that year. There were almost 800,000 total crashes where the number one cause was attributed to distraction.
Prevalence and Driver Behaviors
Surveys reveal widespread risky behaviors, particularly among younger drivers. A 2024 Zebra survey of nearly 1,000 U.S. drivers found:
- Texting While Driving: 47% of drivers admitted to it, a 31% increase from 2021.
- GPS Adjustment: 57% of drivers reported doing this while driving.
- Generational Differences:
- 55% of Gen Z and Millennials texted while driving.
- 74% of Gen Z adjusted GPS devices (vs. 59% overall).
- Awareness vs. Action: 93% of drivers consider texting/reading on a phone “extremely dangerous,” yet 27% reported texting and 37% reading while driving in the past month.
Additionally, NHTSA observational data shows that at any given daylight moment, approximately 660,000 drivers are using handheld electronic devices. Handheld phone use has declined slightly (from 4.3% of drivers in 2014 to 2.1% in 2023), but manipulation of devices remains higher among younger drivers (7.7% for ages 16–24).
Economic and Insurance Impact
- Costs: Distraction-related crashes cost an estimated $98.2 billion annually (2019 data, adjusted for inflation).
- Insurance Penalties: A cellphone violation can increase premiums by ~22% in 2024, with fines up to $500 in many states.
To combat this, NHTSA’s “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign emphasizes enforcement, especially for drivers aged 18–34, who are most at risk. Simple steps like enabling Do Not Disturb mode or pulling over can prevent tragedies. For the latest updates, check NHTSA’s resources.
What You Can Do
Defensive Driving