Researchers analyzed recently published 2022 data on distracted driving, tracking trends by state, collision type, and factors contributing to driver distractions. Results show this particular form of negligence on the road has steadily increased, as has the number of personal injury claims that follow.
With distracted driving now occurring on 58% of trips and states implementing stricter hands-free laws, the data highlights both the growing risks and the effectiveness of policy changes in curbing dangerous driving behaviors.
The Rising Toll of Distracted Driving: Fatalities, Crashes, and Economic Impact
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 3,308 people died due to distracted driving in 2022.
Cambridge Mobile Telemetrics (CMT) notes that this represents a 20% increase since 2020, resulting in an estimated 420,000 additional crashes, 1,000 fatalities, and $10 billion in economic damages.
Every 10% increase results in over 420 deaths and costs the economy $4 billion each year. CMT found that phone motion and screen usage, the two primary indicators of distracted driving, increased by 21% and 23%, respectively.
The Widespread Consequences of Distracted Driving
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines distracted driving as anything that takes your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off of driving.
The government agency notes that over 3,100 people were killed and about 424,000 were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2019, making an average of nine people killed per day in the United States in crashes involving a distracted driver.
About one in five of those killed are pedestrians or cyclists.
This report analyzes recent data from each of these sources to break down various trends, factors, and the resulting human and financial costs associated with distracted driving.
Distracted Driving Statistics by State
Drivers now interact with their phones on 58% of trips, up from 54% in 2020. The top ten states with the highest rates of distracted drivers include:
- Florida
- Texas
- California
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- Arizona
- Nevada
- Illinois
- New York
- Colorado
Top 10 States Where Distracted Drivers Hit Cyclists the Most
- California
- Florida
- Texas
- New York
- Arizona
- Illinois
- North Carolina
- Georgia
- Colorado
- Washington
Top 10 States Where Distracted Drivers Hit Pedestrians the Most
Pedestrian fatalities have reached a 40–year high, with 7,485 deaths in 2021.
- California
- Florida
- Texas
- New York
- Arizona
- Nevada
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- New Jersey
- Illinois
Demographic and Behavioral Factors of Distracted Driving
A variety of demographic and behavioral factors influence distracted driving.
Generations Causing the Most Issues
- Teen drivers (15–20 years old): This group has the highest percentage of distractions during fatal crashes compared to older drivers, and 39% of high school students admitted to texting or emailing while driving at least once in the past 30 days.
- Young adults (16–24 years old): Younger drivers are more likely to use handheld cell phones while driving, contributing to a disproportionate number of distracted driving incidents.
- Millennials and Gen Z are the most frequent smartphone users while driving. In 2022, phone interactions occurred on 58% of trips, up from 54% in 2020.
Gender Differences
Women are more likely than men to use handheld devices while driving, increasing their risk of distraction-related crashes.
Behavioral Patterns
Distracted driving increases significantly during major holidays, with Thanksgiving and Christmas showing the highest rates of phone use while driving. Weekdays tend to have higher instances of phone motion distraction.
Top 10 Most Common Driving Distractions
- Texting and mailing
- Phone calls
- Social media use
- GPS or navigation systems
- Eating and drinking
- Passengers
- Music and audio controls
- Personal grooming
- Reaching for items
- Daydreaming or zoning out
How States With Distracted Driving Laws Compare to Those Without
A CMT 2023 survey of over 1,000 drivers revealed differences in how drivers perceive and understand these laws.
States With Handheld Bans
- 32% of drivers understand there is a ban on handheld device use.
- However, 40% of drivers in these states are either unaware of the ban or do not fully understand its details.
States Without Handheld Bans
- Only 8% of drivers correctly understand that there is no ban.
- 53% of drivers incorrectly believe there is a ban in place.
- An alarming 58% of drivers are unaware of the specific laws or do not understand the details.
Effectiveness of Hands-Free Laws
States with hands-free laws have shown significant success in reducing distracted driving, with a 13% average decrease in phone motion within three months of enactment and a 12.8% drop in crashes in Michigan after its 2023 law.
Distracted Driving Laws by State
Explore the table below to understand better how distracted driving laws vary by state. It shows state-specific regulations on handheld device use while driving.
Insurance Impacts and Initiatives
By January 2025, 30 states will have banned handheld device use, complementing efforts by insurers who use telematics to incentivize safer driving, reducing distraction by 25% in engaged drivers. Distracted driving convictions, however, can lead to higher premiums and policy non-renewals.
Public Awareness and Education
Public awareness campaigns, such as those run by the Kiefer Foundation, StopDistractions.org, and Boston’s Safest Driver Competition, could help reduce distracted driving incidents nationwide.
If you were injured in a distracted driving accident, a Milwaukee car accident lawyer from Gruber Law Offices can help.
