What causes Distracted Driving

Your decision to speed...

Your decision to play games behind the wheel...

Your decision to drive with your phone in hand...

Your decision to drive distracted...

WILL change someone's live permanently . It will happen to you, it's just a matter of time.

**Information that is released to us in terms of fatalities, percentages and statistics across the United States always lag in time. For example you will see numbers listed on our site from 2021-2022 listed in 2023 accounting for numbers coming out of 2022. The numbers rolling out for 2024 are just now beginning to roll out as of February 2025, with adjusted and final numbers being released sometime during the summer. We will update our site accordingly, those who are signed up to receive our emails, will be notified when the final numbers are posted. ** 

The First 2024 Data Is In—And It's Alarming

As we begin reviewing the initial reports for 2024, the data surrounding distracted driving is deeply concerning. If you or someone you love has been affected by a distracted driving incident—or if you’re a parent of a new or soon-to-be driver—this is information you need to see.

Distracted driving is not just a bad habit—it’s a national crisis. Despite increased awareness efforts, the numbers are not improving at the rate they should be. Below is a comprehensive overview of recent data and trends that underscore just how serious the problem has become.

• As of late 2024, Arizona has 5,911,444 licensed drivers.
   
• An estimated 669,000 drivers in Arizona admit to using their phone while driving during daylight hours.
   
• 58% of teen crashes are caused by distracted driving.
   
• In 2015, distracted driving contributed to 3,477 deaths and 391,000 injuries across the U.S. (Numbers are considered underreported due to lack of self-disclosure.)
   
• 3 seconds of taking your eyes off the road is enough to cause a serious crash.
   
• Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for U.S. teenagers.
   
• Teens aged 16–19 are three times more likely to die in a crash compared to other age groups.
   
• Distracted driving is now considered 6 to 7 times more dangerous than drunk driving.
   
• Like impaired driving, distracted drivers often don’t change their behavior until they crash or get caught.
   

It’s more than texting. The following behaviors all contribute to fatal and non-fatal crashes:

• 80% of drivers admit to engaging in risky behaviors like eating, applying makeup, using their knees to steer, and changing clothes behind the wheel.
   
• Simply adjusting the radio or A/C accounts for 2% of distracted driving fatalities.
   
• Interacting with passengers accounts for 5%.
   
• Driving with 3 or more passengers doubles a teen’s crash risk.
   
• 62% of distracted driving crashes are due to mental distraction, not just physical.
   
• 80% of all vehicle crashes in the U.S. involve some form of distraction.
   

• Listening to music or podcasts can reduce focus by 40%.
   
• Parents distracted by disciplining children take their eyes off the road for over 3 minutes during a 16-minute drive.
   
• 53% of drivers believe infotainment systems are safe, but research proves otherwise.
   
• Eating or drinking while driving increases crash risk by 80%.
   
• Reading a text takes your eyes off the road for an average of 5 seconds—at highway speeds, that’s the length of a football field.
   
• 1.6 million crashes annually are linked to cell phone use.
   
• 11 teenagers die every day due to texting and driving.
   

• 94% of teens acknowledge texting while driving is dangerous, yet only 35% say they avoid it.
   
• 25% admit to texting every time they drive.
   
• 1 in 5 teens and 1 in 10 parents report having ongoing text conversations while behind the wheel.
   
• A teen on a phone has the same reaction time as a 70-year-old driver.
   
• 82% of teens have a phone; over half admit to using it while driving.
   
• Using a phone while driving increases crash risk by 12.2 times.
   

• Using hands-free devices can distract drivers for up to 27 seconds after interaction.
   
• "Distracted driving" includes both handheld and hands-free activities.
   

• 60.2% talk on the phone while driving
   
• 47% send/receive texts
   
• 40% use phone apps
   
• 59% adjust GPS
   
• 59% eat or drink
   
• 22% take photos or videos
   
• 11% apply makeup
   

Reaching for an item while driving increases crash risk by 800%—if it can’t wait, pull over.

• Arizona law (AZ REV. STAT 28-914) mandates hands-free use while driving. Violations can lead to fines between $75–$250, and in serious cases, up to 6 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
   
• The average fine for a first offense (no crash) is just $100, while a first-time DUI can cost upwards of $1,500, with far more legal hurdles.
   
• Yet the economic cost of distracted driving is close to $40 billion/year, rivaling DUI-related costs at $44 billion/year.
   

• In 2022, 35% of motorcyclist fatalities were linked to speeding.
   
• Motorcyclists aged 21–24 had the highest rate of speeding-related deaths at 51%.
   
• Seatbelts reduce crash-related injuries by 50%, yet young adults (18–34) are least likely to wear them.
   
• States with primary seatbelt laws have an 87% usage rate, compared to 79% in states with weaker enforcement.
   

• NHTSA
   
• AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
   
• Distraction.org
   
• Zebra Polling (2024)
   
• Maricopa County District Attorney’s Office
   
• www.gsha.org/state-laws.com
   

We don’t share these numbers to scare you—but to wake us all up. The consequences of distracted driving are real, widespread, and far too often fatal. Awareness is the first step—but action, education, and meaningful dialogue are what will save lives.

If you’d like to learn more, get involved, or share your story, we’re here. This conversation includes all of us.