Distracted driving is at an all-time high. And it doesn't seem like risky behaviors behind the wheel will stop anytime soon. Our roads are getting more dangerous because of it, and according to our research, a third of drivers say they feel more anxious driving now than they were before the pandemic.
But is distracted driving really that much of a problem? How is it unsafe, and why is it surging now? Let's look at the latest data to get to the bottom of it.
Distracted Driving Is Commonplace
Distracted driving can take many forms: visual (like looking at a phone), manual (fiddling with the radio), and cognitive (being lost in one's thoughts). They're all dangerous because they reduce your ability to respond to what's happening on the road. For example, if you're messing with your phone, you likely won't be able to brake in time to avoid hitting a pedestrian.
Everyone knows this, and yet distracted driving is still commonplace. Phones are one of the biggest culprits: 12% of fatal distracted driving crashes involved a phone in 2021. Most alarmingly, almost 50% of drivers admit to engaging with their phones behind the wheel. And young drivers (15- to 24-year-olds) are the ones most likely to do it.
States Pass Laws to Fight Back
Lawmakers are noticing this concerning trend and introducing new bills to combat cellphone use. Currently, distracted driving laws vary widely across the country, but they can be broken down into a few bullet points. According to the Governors Highway Safety Administration:
Blanket cellphone use ban: No state prohibits all cellphone use, but 36 states ban all cellphone use by novice drivers.
Handheld cellphone ban: 31 states forbid drivers from holding a phone while driving (for example, to take calls). Note that some actions (like checking a GPS) are allowed in some states.
Texting-and-driving ban: 48 states prohibit texting and driving, while an additional state bans novice drivers from texting and driving.
These laws may not be enough. Despite fewer drivers holding a phone to their ears to take a phone call, more drivers are fiddling with their phones behind the wheel. So even though these laws are in the books, they're not eradicating distracted driving.
Ohio is one of the states taking a harsher approach to distracted driving. The governor signed a new lawat the start of 2023 making the use of handheld devices (to text, check social media, and so on) a primary office. That means law enforcement can now pull over drivers for being on their phones and issue a citation.
Iowa is going a step further in trying to ban all cellphone use while driving. While the proposed legislation has been around for a while, support for it is growing. The push? The fact that distracted driving deaths in Iowa have gone up from 11 in 2021 to 20 in 2022.
More Accidents, More Fatalities
It's not just Iowa seeing a surge in car crashes caused by distracted driving. The same is happening all over the country.
In 2020, 3,142 people died in crashes involving a distracted driver. One year later, in 2021, deaths jumped to 3,522. Approximately 8% of all traffic deaths now happen because a driver wasn't paying attention behind the wheel.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported a total of 64,910 car accidents in 2021 involving cell phones. It's the highest it's ever been, and it continues a clear trend: distracted driving happens more and more each year.
New Mexico is by far the state with the highest rate of distracted driving deaths. 195 people died in this kind of accident in 2021 alone. That's a whopping 41% of crashes being caused by distracted driving in the state.
Why Is Distracted Driving Ramping Up?
Eradicating distracted driving starts with understanding why it's happening in the first place. Unfortunately, it's not a simple clear-cut issue. However, we can point to a few factors contributing to these alarmingly high rates of distracted driving:
Ubiquitous phone use. Most people have phones they use to make calls and send texts. But those two features have been around since the 1990s (and people used them behind the wheel then, too). What's different now is the ease with which drivers can check their emails, scroll through social media feeds, and browse the internet from their smartphones.
Vehicle media centers. What if that touch screen between the driver's and passenger's seat (also called the media center or infotainment center) could be what's distracting drivers? Researchers say it could beone of the culprits of this distracted driving epidemic, especially for older drivers. Programming the navigation system, taking a call, or tuning into a different radio station takes the focus off the road, which can be dangerous.
Bad habits from the pandemic. When the pandemic hit the U.S. in early 2020, millions of drivers stayed home. Those who did hit the road found emptier highways, which allowed many to be riskier in their driving. Speeding, for example, spiked during this period but has now subsided. But distracted driving (along with road rage) stuck around.
How You Can Fight Distracted Driving
You can help end distracted driving with the following tips.
Eliminate Distractions
Resist the temptation to check your phone in the car, even when you're stopped at a light or stuck in traffic. Store your phone in the glove box to keep it out of sight, out of mind.
Be a Responsible Passenger
Encourage the driver you're riding with to put their phone down and focus on the road. If they have to text someone, offer to do it for them. You could also be in charge of picking the music and entering directions so they can drive responsibly.
Take Defensive Driving Classes
Did you know you can take defensive driving classes to become a better, more responsible driver? You'll learn proven strategies to stay focused on the road, as well as what to do if you encounter a distracted driver. Plus, you could even get an auto insurance discount once you finish the course.
Put an End to Distracted Driving
With so many distracted drivers on the road, you'll be doing yourself a favor by brushing up on driving techniques and safety methods. Enroll in online defensive driving classes now, learn at your own pace, and do your part in making our roads safer.
