Distracted Driving Statistics are a helpful tool for change and we want to share this information with you to raise awareness and encourage you to take action. Included at the bottom of our post is a PDF for downloading and sharing.
California Data
In 2013, the California Department of Motor Vehicles reported over 426,000 handheld cell phone and texting convictions, with more than 57,000 tickets issued in April alone. (California DMV and the California Office of Traffic Safety)
- In 2014, 61% of California drivers surveyed said they had been hit or nearly hit by a driver who was talking or texting on a cell phone. (California Traffic Safety Survey)
- In 2014, nearly 40% of Californians surveyed thought texting or talking on a cell phone while driving posed the biggest safety problem on California roadways. (California Traffic Safety Survey)
- In 2014, more than 50% of Californians surveyed said that texting while driving is the most serious distraction for drivers. (California Traffic Safety Survey)
- In 2014, nearly 53% of drivers admitted to making a driving mistake while talking on a cell phone. (California Traffic Safety Survey)
- The total percentage of distracted driving due to electronic devices observed decreased from 7.4% in 2013 to 6.4% in 2014, a 13.5% reduction and the lowest since surveys began in 2011. (CA Statewide Observational Survey of Cell Phone & Texting Use by Drivers)
National and General Data
- As of January 2015, 44 states banned text messaging for all drivers. (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration)
- According to the latest data from NHTSA, nationwide in 2013, 3,154 people were killed and an estimated additional 424,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. This represents a 6.7 percent decrease in the number of fatalities recorded in 2012. (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration)
- Ten percent of drivers of all ages under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted. (Distraction.gov)
- Engaging in visual-manual subtasks (such as reaching for a phone, dialing and texting) associated with the use of hand-held phones and other portable devices increased the risk of getting into a crash by three times. (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute)
- Text messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted. (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, VTTI)
Please click here to download the PDF The California Office of Traffic Safety 2015 Key Facts & Statistics.
If you or someone you know has questions or a legal issue in relation to distracted driving and/or personal injury, please contact us at (760) 683-2048 or click on our Contact Us tab on the main menu and submit an inquiry. Your information will always be kept confidential and managed by Sahhar Law Firm only. We look forward to being of service to you.