Distracted driving continues to be a major cause of vehicular accidents in the US, with cell phones being a primary culprit. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving as any activity that diverts attention from the task of driving, including talking/texting on a phone, eating, talking to passengers, or adjusting vehicle controls. Texting is considered the most alarming as it combines visual, manual, and cognitive distractions.
To put the risks of distracted driving in perspective, consider the following US statistics*:
- In 2023, 3,275 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver. These fatalities accounted for 8% of all traffic deaths in 2023.
- An estimated 324,819 people were injured in distracted-driving-related crashes in 2023.
- Distracted drivers were involved in the deaths of 611 non-occupants, such as pedestrians and cyclists, in 2023.
- Dialing or texting presents a much higher crash risk compared to talking on the phone. A 5-second glance at a text is equivalent to driving blind the length of a football field at 55 mph.
- At any moment, an estimated 660,000 drivers are using their phones while driving.
- While 93% of drivers claim to know that handheld use is dangerous, many still text and drive.
Please don’t add to these sobering statistics in 2026 – put your phone away when you enter your vehicle – for the New Year, and beyond.
*Statistics are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Safety Council.
