Distracted Driving by the Numbers
No driver is focused all the time. We adjust the air conditioning, look at billboards, drink coffee, and think about what we’ll do with all that money we’ll have after buying the winning Powerball ticket. The problems we face are there have never been more driver distractions, and the more we’re distracted, the greater the risk we’ll cause an accident.
Orange County car accident lawyer Aaron Hicks understands that a vehicle accident caused by a distracted driver can throw your life into chaos. Call our office at (949) 541-9944 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation so you can discuss your auto accident with Mr. Hicks today.
What Types of Distractions Are There?
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists three kinds of distracted driving:
- Visual distractions cause you to look away from the road. You look at the map on your GPS app, a video billboard gets your attention, or you look at the scenery instead of what’s directly in your path and near to you. If you’re traveling at 55 miles per hour and take your eyes off the road for five seconds, you’ve driven the length of a football field without knowing what’s ahead of you
- Manual distractions result in your coming off the steering wheel. You eat or drink, use your phone, change radio stations, or reach for something in your car
- Cognitive distractions take your mind off of driving. You may be looking ahead, and your hands are on the wheel, but your mind is a thousand miles away. You’re planning your day, worried about your parents, wondering why your child isn’t doing better in school, or thinking about asking your co-worker to go out on a date
Many drivers are distracted in multiple ways at the same time. You think about what you want to listen to while driving, your right hand moves to the radio controls, and your eyes follow to ensure you tune to the right station.
How Dangerous is Distracted Driving?
The following distracted driving statistics highlight the severe risks associated with inattentive driving:
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3,308 fatalities in 2022: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,308 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2022.
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Economic impact: Distracted driving imposes a significant financial burden, with an estimated economic cost of $98.2 billion in 2019, accounting for property damage, medical expenses, lost productivity, and legal costs.
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Prevalence among drivers: A concerning number of drivers admit to engaging in distracting activities. Studies have shown that 57% of drivers use handheld devices, and 49% admit to texting or emailing while driving.
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Younger drivers at higher risk: Drivers aged 15 to 20 are disproportionately involved in fatal distracted driving crashes, accounting for 11% of such incidents, despite representing only 8% of drivers in fatal accidents.
The actual numbers may be higher due to challenges in reporting and confirming distraction as a cause of accidents. Factors contributing to underreporting include:
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Drivers may not admit to distraction, fearing legal consequences.
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Investigators may lack concrete evidence to confirm distraction as a factor in crashes.
These statistics underscore the critical importance of attentive driving to ensure the safety of all road users.
Why Must We Focus on Driving to Be Safe?
In the late 1980s, reports the Los Angeles Times, the US Army asked outside experts to study how Apache attack helicopter pilots respond to the flood of information coming at them on digital screens and analog displays.
They found the cognitive overload they suffered degraded performance and increased their crash risk. Pilots were asked to do too much, with more demand for their attention than they could safely handle. The Apache fleet was overhauled, and the cockpits were changed to reduce distractions and help pilots maintain focus.
University of Utah Cognitive psychologist and director of the university’s Center for the Prevention of Distracted Driving, David Strayer, worked with the Army on the project. Since then, civilian cars and trucks developed their own Apache problem – they are filled with touch screens, nested menus, interactive maps, and smartphones with their selection of apps. In his lab, he documents the deadly consequences.
According to Strayer,
“We are instrumenting the car in a way that is overloading the driver just like we were overloading the helicopter pilots…Everything we know from pilots being overloaded we can apply to motor vehicles…They’ve created a candy store of distraction. And we are killing people.”
Strayer says instead of applying what was learned, smartphone and automobile makers ignore the research, adding popular but deadly diversions for more drivers.
The Scariest Numbers: We Know Distracted Driving is Dangerous, But We Do It Anyway
Despite widespread awareness of the dangers associated with distracted driving, many individuals continue to engage in risky behaviors behind the wheel.
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Cell Phone Usage While Driving: A 2023 survey by the Colorado Department of Transportation revealed that 76% of Colorado drivers admitted to using their phones (either hands-free or handheld) while driving, an increase from 67% in 2022.
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Admitted Distracted Driving Behaviors: A 2023 survey conducted by State Farm found that nearly 75% of drivers have easy access to their phones while driving, and many admitted to using them behind the wheel.
These statistics underscore a troubling paradox: while drivers acknowledge the risks associated with distracted driving, many continue to engage in behaviors that compromise safety on the road.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Costa Mesa
If you’re severely injured, or a family member is killed in an accident involving a distracted driver, call an experienced car accident attorney at the Hicks Law Firm. We can help you protect your rights to compensation and well-being. Call us at (949) 541-9944 today.
Aaron Hicks is a civil trial attorney and founder of Hicks Law Firm, based in Orange County with offices in San Diego and Tennessee. His practice includes representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases including motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, dog bites and wrongful death. Mr. Hicks is and AV Rated attorney, Super Lawyer and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association where he serves as 1st Vice President.
