Distracted Driving Statistics: A Quantitative Report

Distracted driving results in loss of the mental focus required to drive safely — even if you look away momentarily. Using yearly data, we can look at how dangerous this behavior really is.

Consider this link for the full report: Distracted Driving Statistics

Major findings:

In January of 2021, The Zebra reached out to American drivers to understand the habits they engage in behind the wheel of a car. While many claim they never drive while distracted, others admit to engaging in many other behaviors while driving, including texting while driving. 

• Less than half of participants completely agree that texting and driving is just as dangerous as drinking and driving, despite numerous studies proving both activities limit your capacity for awareness and focus.

• 36.4% of participants completely agree that using a mobile device hinders your ability to drive, yet 36% admit to engaging in activities with a cellphone while driving.

• 3.4% admitted to drinking while driving!

• Only 4.1% of participants ages 25-34 claimed they felt a high degree of pressure to respond to text messages while driving. In total, 12.1% of respondents in that age group felt any pressure to answer a text at all.

• 17.9% of the age group 18-24 felt the most pressure to respond to a text while driving. Interestingly, it is also this age group that is most often in accidents.