The Shocking Data Exposing the Deadly Reality of Texting & Driving
As a professional data analyst, numbers are my lifeblood. But some statistics truly shock me to the core. Case in point – the annual fatality figures resulting from texting and distracted driving in America.
Over the past decade, I‘ve watched the death toll from distracted driving rise sharply year-over-year. With ever-more drivers unable to resist the siren call of nonstop digital stimulation, keeping eyes glued to the road has become an afterthought. The resulting loss of life across the country‘s highways is as predictable as it is heartbreaking.
Let‘s closely analyze the deeply troubling data that exposes the true severity of the texting and driving crisis threatening drivers across America every day.
Decoding the Startling Statistics
In 2020 alone, 3,142 people died in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers according to the NHTSA. This represents a 10% increase from 2019 and the highest number of distracted driving fatalities since 2007.
An estimated 1 out of every 5 traffic collision fatalities involve distracted driving, equating to at least 628 deaths attributable to distracted driving in 2020.
Over the 5-year stretch from 2017-2021, no less than 2,335 people lost their lives due to distracted driving accidents. That averages out to around 1 death per day.
Shockingly, distracted driving contributes to a staggering 1.6 million auto crashes per year nationwide according to the National Safety Council. This means roughly 28% of all annual auto collisions in the U.S. involve driver distraction.
The reality is that distracted driving has become a full-blown traffic safety crisis. But texting and smartphone addiction while driving particularly stand out for how dangerous they are:
Drivers are up to 6 times more likely to crash when texting behind the wheel.
Reaction times slow by as much as 37% for those who text while driving, per AAA Foundation research.
Sending or reading a text diverts a driver‘s eyes from the road for a full 5 seconds on average.
I‘ll contextualize why 5 seconds is an eternity in a moment. But first, let‘s analyze the specific texting & driving fatality figures year-over-year.
Analyzing the Annual Texting & Driving Fatality Figures
| Year | Texting & Driving Deaths | All Traffic Fatalities | % Traffic Deaths from Texting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 3,328 | 33,561 | 9.9% |
| 2013 | 3,154 | 32,893 | 9.6% |
| 2014 | 3,179 | 32,744 | 9.7% |
| 2015 | 3,477 | 35,092 | 9.9% |
| 2016 | 3,450 | 37,461 | 9.2% |
| 2017 | 434 | 37,133 | 1.2% |
| 2018 | 447 | 36,560 | 1.2% |
| 2019 | 430 | 36,096 | 1.2% |
| 2020 | 396 | 38,824 | 1.0% |
| 2021 | 628 (estimated) | TBD | TBD |
Data sources: NHTSA, IIHS, NSC
These figures perfectly showcase how deaths resulting directly from texting and driving plateaued between 2014-2016 before appearing to sharply decline. However, this drop corresponds almost exactly with the timeframe when smartphones attained over 70% market saturation in the U.S.
My interpretation of the data suggests distracted driving fatalities did not truly decrease. Rather, with virtually all drivers now possessing smartphones, determining cell phone involvement following crashes has become nearly impossible.
Hence — distracted driving is being broadly undercounted and underreported in federal traffic fatality statistics from 2017 onwards. When we estimate texting & driving to represent at least 20% of all distracted driving deaths based on past trends, projected figures align much closer with historical norms.
No matter how you analyze the data, the inescapable conclusion remains — texting and driving kills. Let‘s examine why this dangerous behavior proves so deadly.
Why Texting & Driving is Like Driving Blindfolded
At 55 mph, a car travels the entire length of a football field (360 feet) in just 5 seconds.
Taking your eyes off the road for a mere 5 seconds means failing to see the entire football field distance ahead of you.
Traveling at 55 mph, it takes a minimum of 5 football fields or 1,800 feet for most vehicles to come to a complete stop.
When you compare texting to driving blindfolded down not just 1 but 5 consecutive football fields, you begin to understand why glancing at your phone for even a few seconds is outright suicidal behavior behind the wheel.
But visually looking away from the road isn‘t the only way texting impairs driving ability. Evidence shows that hands-free texting options which allow drivers to keep their eyes front don‘t substantially reduce crash risk either.
Why? Because beyond the visual distraction, the mental distraction of trying to multitask is equally hazardous.
Studies using brain imaging scans show that just listening to someone speak in the passenger seat can diminish brain activity in the visual cortex area by 37% in drivers.
When having a phone conversation, drivers fail to register up to 50% of their driving environment including traffic signs, pedestrians, and unusual roadway sights.
Texting is considered the most dangerous distraction because it couples intense visual, manual, and cognitive interference simultaneously.
Attempting to divide focus between driving and reading/writing messages overloads our brains. Our gray matter simply cannot multitask well, especially for complex visual activities like operating a vehicle.
In essence, texting tricks drivers into believing they can divide attention effectively…right up until an accident happens.
More Factors Driving the Distracted Driving Crisis
Beyond texting, several worrying trends help explain the sharp recent increases in distracted driving accidents and fatalities nationwide:
More Exposure
Pre-2020, commuting by car represented the #1 source of exposure to distracted driving crashes.
With hybrid remote work models still prevalent post-COVID, personal leisure trips now make up a greater proportion of time Americans spend driving.
Leisure trips often involve more distracting activities like interacting with passengers, eating, applying makeup, programming navigation apps, etc.
Higher speeds traveled during long-distance leisure trips also increase the severity of accidents that do occur.
Younger Demographics
Drivers ages 16-29 face triple the risk of a fatal distracted driving crash compared to older drivers.
Teen drivers display deficient hazard detection skills and reduced peripheral vision function compared to experienced drivers.
72% of teens admit to snapping selfies, watching videos, and texting while driving – making them a dangerous wildcard on the road.
Smartphone Addiction
50% of teens feel addicted to their smartphones according to research by Common Sense Media.
U.S. consumers unlock their phones over 220 times per day on average.
The ping of a new notification activates neuro-chemical pathways for craving and reward anticipation in ways similar to slot machines.
This addictive potential explains why 88% of drivers continue to text, browse, or access apps while driving despite understanding the risks.
With drivers more distracted than ever and exposure continuing to rise, effectively combating this epidemic will require action on multiple fronts.
Practical Tips to Prevent Texting & Driving Tragedies
While lawmakers pursue policy-based countermeasures, here are 5 simple personal actions anyone can take to avoid becoming another texting & driving statistic:
Shut Off Notifications
Mute audible notification pings and turn off haptic feedback vibrations to remove external triggers reactivating phone checking habits.
Stow Your Phone
Place your device out of sight in the trunk, glovebox, or backseat before driving. Physically hiding your phone obstructs impulsive usage.
Customize Auto-Responses
Set up automatic reply messages through apps like AT&T DriveMode and LifeSaver that notify senders you cannot respond while driving.
Activate DND Mode
Use Do Not Disturb settings to mute calls and notifications whenever driving over 10-15 mph. The iOS 16 and Android Auto updates include dedicated driving modes to simplify this process.
Add Friction
If you lack self-control, enabling extra steps to access your phone while driving adds enough "friction" to discourage casual usage. Options include deleting social apps, requiring passcodes/fingerprint access, enabling airplane mode before driving, or installing specialized lockout apps.
At the end of the day, eliminating preventable driving deaths comes down to taking personal responsibility for our driving behavior. While human willpower often fails, by intentionally adding barriers to limit the distraction and danger of texting & driving, we can regain control over unhealthy digital habits – and ultimately save lives.
