These Distracted Driving Statistics Will Surprise You

If you’ve ever gotten behind the wheel of a car, you know how dangerous distracted driving can be. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents on the road. It can take many different forms, from checking a text on your phone to eating while driving. Every type of distracted driving is a potential threat to arriving home safely. With the rise of smartphones and other smart devices, distracted driving has become a huge issue when it comes to driver safety.

Before diving into some of the statistics, here’s an overview of what distracted driving is and how dangerous it can be. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,142 lives were taken by distracted driving in 2019. Distracted driving doesn’t have to just be using your phone while driving a car. It can be anything that diverts your attention away from the road and other cars around you. For example, did you know that just talking to other people in your vehicle could be considered distracted driving? If your car has a touchscreen with entertainment or navigation features, fiddling around with those while your car is in motion can also contribute to distracted driving. It’s important to think about all the potential ways you might be distracted while driving in order to keep yourself and your passengers safe.

Now that you have a better idea of what distracted driving really means, here are some statistics that might surprise you:

Almost 80% of Crashes Involve Distracted Driving

A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and the NHTSA found that distracted driving was a factor in almost 80% of car accidents. The study also found that just three seconds of driver inattentiveness can be enough to cause a crash. Phone usage and lack of sleep were found to be the most common cause of distracted driving. Another dangerous distracted driving action is reaching for a moving object while driving, which significantly increases your odds of an accident. Just like with all forms of distracted driving, it’s best to wait until your vehicle is at a standstill before reaching for an object that moved or checking your phone.  

1 in 5 Victims of Distracted Driving Were Pedestrians & Cyclists

Another study by the NHTSA found that 20% of distracted driving accidents were between a vehicle and a pedestrian or cyclist. While the majority of distracted driving accidents occur between two moving vehicles, a significant number of accidents involve a distracted driver crashing into a pedestrian or cyclist. It’s not just other cars you need to watch out for on the road, but also all the pedestrians and cyclists you may be passing by. This can become especially dangerous in dark driving conditions, as you may have less time to see and react to a pedestrian or cyclist who is in your way. Eliminating all sources of distracted driving gives you the necessary time to see and react to something that may cause an accident.

Phone Usage Can Be As Dangerous As Drunk Driving

The University of Utah conducted a study into the negative effects of distracted driving. They set out to compare the negative impacts of phone usage while driving to drunk driving. Based on the results of their study, the researchers concluded that phone usage while driving can impair a driver just as significantly as being drunk. The study also found that drivers who used their cell phones while driving were 5.36 times more likely to be in an accident than undistracted drivers.

Drivers Aged 15-19 Are Up to Twice As Likely to be Distracted

While it may seem like common sense that more inexperienced drivers are more likely to get distracted, the numbers behind this statistic are surprising. The CDC published an article discussing the dangers of distracted driving. In it, they showed that compared to adults in the age range of 50-69, drivers in the 15-19 age range are twice as likely to get in an accident due to distracted driving. While distracted driving is a problem for all age ranges, clearly there needs to be more education on the consequences of distracted driving for young drivers.

It’s important for all drivers to realize the responsibility we have out on the road. Only we have the ability to put the phone down when needed to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a careless or reckless driver and has been injured, call 1-800-411-PAIN and get the help you need! We will refer you to the attorneys that will fight to get you the compensation you deserve and the medical attention you need. If you have been hurt in an accident, call 1-800-411-PAIN, and we will guide you in finding you the best medical and legal professionals.