# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Teen Drivers: Get the Facts | Motor Vehicle Safety | CDC Injury Center

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to page options Skip directly to site content

# data[].attributes.body
Why cell phones should never be banned in cars

# data[].attributes.headline
There has been a 14 per cent rise in 999 calls classed as life-threatening since 2011, with more than 2.5 million such calls last year.

# data[].attributes.subject
There has been a 14 per cent rise in 999 calls classed as life-threatening since 2011, with more than 2.5 million such calls last year.

# data[].attributes.headline
Failing to move over when being approached by an emergency vehicle is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

# data[].attributes.subject
Failing to move over when being approached by an emergency vehicle is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

# data[].attributes.headline
First degree homicide by vehicle. This is a felony that, upon conviction, will result in a sentence of between 3 and 15 years of imprisonment

# data[].attributes.subject
First degree homicide by vehicle. This is a felony that, upon conviction, will result in a sentence of between 3 and 15 years of imprisonment

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate. (April 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

# data[].attributes.body
Each day in the United States, approximately 9 people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Each day in the United States, approximately 9 people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. ¹

Distracted driving is driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving. Distracted driving can increase the chance of a motor vehicle crash.

What are the types of distraction?

There are three main types of distraction:

Visual: taking your eyes off the road;

Manual: taking your hands off the wheel; and

Cognitive: taking your mind off of driving.²

Distracted driving activities

Anything that takes your attention away from driving can be a distraction. Sending a text message, talking on a cell phone, using a navigation system, and eating while driving are a few examples of distracted driving. Any of these distractions can endanger the driver and others.

Texting while driving is especially dangerous because it combines all three types of distraction. 3 When you send or read a text message, you take your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds, long enough to cover the length a football field while driving at 55 mph. ⁴

How big is the problem?

US deaths

In 2016, 3,450 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver. ¹

US injuries

In 2015, 391,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver. ¹

Who is most at risk?

Young adult and teen drivers

Drivers under the age of 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes.¹

In 2017 9% of all teen motor vehicle crash deaths involved distracted driving.⁵

CDC's national Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors health-risk behaviors among high school students, including texting or emailing while driving.6,7 Recent YRBSS findings include:

In 2017, 42% of high school students who drove in the past 30 days reported sending a text or email while driving.⁷

Students who reported frequent texting while driving were:

Less likely to wear a seatbelt.⁶

More likely to ride with a driver who had been drinking.⁶

More likely to drink and drive.⁶

What is being done?

States

Many states are enacting laws-such as banning texting while driving, or using graduated driver licensing systems for teen drivers-to help raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and to help prevent it from occurring. However, the effectiveness of cell phone and texting laws on decreasing distracted driving-related crashes requires further study. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety keeps track of distracted driving laws. ⁸

As of March 2019, 16 states and the District of Columbia had banned drivers from hand-held phone use. ⁸

As of March 2019, texting while driving is banned in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Two additional states ban texting while driving for new drivers. ⁸

Some local governments also have bans on cell phone use and texting while driving.⁸

Federal government

On September 30, 2009, President Obama issued an executive order prohibiting federal employees from texting while driving on government business or with government equipment.⁹

On September 17, 2010, the Federal Railroad Administration banned cell phone and electronic device use of employees on the job.¹⁰

On October 27, 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enacted a ban that prohibits commercial vehicle drivers from texting while driving.¹¹

In 2011, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration banned all hand-held cell phone use by commercial drivers and drivers carrying hazardous materials.¹¹

From 2010 to 2013, NHTSA evaluated the Distracted Driving Demonstration Projects. These projects increased police enforcement of distracted driving laws and increased awareness of distracted driving using radio advertisements, news stories, and similar media. After the projects were complete, observed driver cell phone use fell from 4.1% to 2.7% in California, 6.8% to 2.9% in Connecticut, 4.5% to 3.0% in Delaware, and 3.7% to 2.5% in New York.13, 14

In April of 2014, NHTSA began their annual "U Drive. U Text. U Pay." campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.15
NHTSA provides campaign materials for state and local law enforcement:

References

1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Traffic Safety Facts Research Notes 2016: Distracted Driving.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC: NHTSA; 2015. Available at https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812517external icon . Accessed 25 March 2019.

2. Vegega, M., Jones, B., and Monk, C. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Understanding the effects of distracted driving and developing strategies to reduce resulting deaths and injuries: A report to congresspdf icon external icon . U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC: 2013.

3. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Teen and Distracted Driving 2017. Available at: https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812667. Accessed 25 March 2019.

4. Olsen, E.O., R.A. Shults, and D.K. Eaton. Texting while driving and other risky motor vehicle behaviors among US high school studentsexternal icon . Pediatrics, 2013. 131(6): p. e1708-15.

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance-United States, 2015pdf icon . Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/features/yrbs/. Accessed 25 March 2019.

6. Chaudhary, N. K., Casanova-Powell, T. D., Cosgrove, L., et. al. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Evaluation of NHTSA distracted driving demonstration projects in Connecticut and New Yorkpdf icon external icon . U.S Department of Transportation, Washington, DC; 2012.

7. Chaudhary, N. K., Connolly, J., Tison, J., Solomon, M. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Evaluation of the NHTSA distracted driving high-visibility enforcement demonstration projects in California and Delawarepdf icon external icon . U. S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC; 2015.

Page last reviewed:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Each day in the United States, approximately 9 people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. 1 Distracted driving is driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving. Distracted driving can increase the chance of a motor vehicle crash.

# data[].attributes.body
Answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds. Traveling at 55 mph, that's enough time to travel the length of a football field.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about distracted driving and consequences and dangers of texting and driving. Also get info on distracted driving statistics.

# data[].attributes.headline
The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year.

# data[].attributes.subject
The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year.

# data[].attributes.headline
 approximately 660,000 drivers are attempting to use their phones while behind the wheel of an automobile.

# data[].attributes.subject
 approximately 660,000 drivers are attempting to use their phones while behind the wheel of an automobile.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Shocking Statistics That Will Make You Think Twice About Grabbing Your Phone

The numbers illustrating the dangers of cell phone use while driving are downright startling. In fact, at any given time throughout the day, approximately 660,000 drivers are attempting to use their phones while behind the wheel of an automobile.

Smartphones have made it easy for us to stay connected at all times. But that can pose serious safety risks if someone decides to check his or her text messages, emails, phone calls, or any other mobile applications while driving.

Cell phone distraction rates are alarmingly high. We hope with a little information, you'll make the right decision when you're on the road. The following figures were the most up-to-date statistics at the time of our latest research. If you have any questions, or require more recent information, please refer to our sources at the bottom of this page for more information.

General Cell Phone Statistics

The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year.

Nearly 390,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving.

1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving.

Texting while driving is 6x more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk.

Answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds. Traveling at 55 mph, that's enough time to travel the length of a football field.

Texting while driving causes a 400 percent increase in time spent with eyes off the road.

Of all cell phone related tasks, texting is by far the most dangerous activity.

94 percent of drivers support a ban on texting while driving.

74 percent of drivers support a ban on hand-held cell phone use.

Teen Driver Cell Phone Statistics

According to a AAA poll, 94 percent of teen drivers acknowledge the dangers of texting and driving, but 35% admitted to doing it anyway.

21 percent of teen drivers involved in fatal accidents were distracted by their cell phones.

Teen drivers are 4x more likely than adults to get into car crashes or near-crashes when talking or texting on a cell phone.

A teen driver with only one additional passenger doubles the risk of getting into a fatal car accident. With two or more passengers, they are 5x as likely.

2017 U.S. Cell Phone and Driving Statistics

Parents with young children were more 13 percent likely to be distracted while driving than adults with no small children

3,166 people were killed by distracted driving in 2017

In 2017, there were 34,247 distracted driving accidents

15,341 drivers aged 15-29 were involved in fatal crashes due to distraction or cell phone use

2016 U.S. Cell Phone and Driving Statistics

Fatalities in distraction-affected crashes decreased from 3,526 in 2015 to 3,450 in 2016, or a decrease of 2.2 percent.

263 teens (age 15 to 19) were killed as a result of distracted driving in 2016.

10 percent of all teen motor vehicle crash fatalities in 2016 involved distracted driving.

The NHTSA estimates that every day 660,000 drivers use electronic devices while behind the wheel.

2015 U.S. Cell Phone and Driving Statistics

In 2015, 3,477 people were killed and 391,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.

2013 U.S. Cell Phone and Driving Statistics

In 2013, 3,154 people were killed in distraction-related crashes.

About 424,000 people were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver.

In 2013, 10% of all drivers ages 15 to 19 involved in fatal accidents were reported to be distracted at the time of the crash.

2012 U.S. Cell Phone and Driving Statistics

In 2012, 3,328 people were killed in distraction-related crashes.

About 421,000 people were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver.

In 2012, 11% of drivers under age 20 involved in fatal accidents were reported to be distracted at the time of the crash.

One-fourth of teenagers respond to at least one text message every time they drive and 20% of teens and 10% of parents report having multi-text message conversations while driving.

2012 National Survey on Distracted Driving Attitudes and Behaviors

Nearly half (48%) of drivers admit to answering their cell phones while driving.

Of those who answered their phones while driving, 58% of drivers continued to drive while talking on the phone.

In the survey, 24% of drivers reported that they are willing to make a phone call while driving.

One in 10 drivers surveyed said that, at least sometimes, they send text messages or emails while driving.

Of the drivers surveyed, 14% said they read text messages or emails while driving.

A majority of respondents supported laws that banned talking on cell phones, texting, or emailing while driving.

2012 Texting Pedestrian Study

Researchers from the University of Washington monitored 20 of Seattle's busiest intersections and observed the following:

Pedestrians who text are 4x less likely to look before crossing the street, cross in crosswalks, or obey traffic signals.

They also found that texting pedestrians take an average of two seconds longer to cross the street.

For statistics from 2011 and before, check out our Past Cell Phone and Driving Statistics.
Injured By a Texting Driver? Contact Us Today

As cell phone use and driving becomes a national problem, the chances of being involved in a car accident with a distracted driver increase. If you're ever injured by the carelessness of another driver, contact our law firm for a free consultation.

There's never a fee to call and speak with us, and you're never obligated to hire our law firm after you call. Get the answers you need.

Some statistics taken from: 2019 Poll by The Zebra
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
"Teen Distracted Driver Data" NHTSA.
"2016 Fatal Motor Vehicle Crashes: Overview" NHTSA.
"Driver Electronic Device Use in 2010." Traffic Safety Facts: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. December 2011.
"State lawmakers try to curb driver distractions." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. October 2007."Teen texting is OTT, even at wheel." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. July 2007."Bill would require motorists to unhand their phones." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. June 2006. "PennDOT Teen Driver Safety Week News Release." Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. October 22, 2008."Cellphones and Driving." Insurance Information Institute. October 2008. "AMA acts against trans fats, texting while driving." Washington Post. November 10, 2008. "Teen Texting is OTT, Even at Wheel." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. July 17, 2007. "Distractions Challenge Teen Drivers." USA Today. January 26, 2007. "Distracted Driving 2009." National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. September 2010. "Driver Electronic Use in 2009." National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. September 2010. "Distracted Driving and Driver, Roadway, and Environmental Factors." National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. September 2010.
"Most U.S. Drivers Engage in 'Distracted' Driving Behaviors." USAToday.com. December 1, 2011.
"2012 Distracted Driving Attitudes and Behaviors Survey." NHTSA.
"2011 National Occupant Protection Use Survey on Driver Electronics Use." NHTSA.
"2011 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"2011 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Distracted Driving 2011." National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
"Distracted Driving - What Research Shows and What States Can Do." Governors Highway Safety Association. 2011.
National Safety Council.
"New Pennsylvania law not yet putting a dent in texting while driving." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. April 11, 2013.
"What is Distracted Driving? Key Facts and Statistics" NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Schroeder, P., Meyers, M., & Kostuniuk, L. (2013, April). National survey on distracted driving attitudes and behaviors - 2012. (Report No. DOT HS 811 729). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Distracted Driving 2013." National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. April 2015.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Texting and Driving Accident Statistics - Distracted Driving

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The numbers illustrating the dangers of cell phone use while driving are downright startling. In fact, at any given time throughout the day, approximately 660,000 drivers are attempting to use their phones while behind the wheel of an automobile. Smartphones have made it easy for us to stay connected at all times.

# data[].attributes.headline
nearly 390,000 injuries occur each year in accidents caused by texting whilecdriving

# data[].attributes.subject
nearly 390,000 injuries occur each year in accidents caused by texting whilecdriving

# data[].attributes.body
Cell phones shouldn't be prohibited because what if someone is trying to get ahold of you while you're driving incase of emergency. You would need to answer it.

# data[].attributes.body
They should not be prohibited because cell phones have recently become hands free with a lot of the things you need while driving, like Siri can call whoever and text people for you

# data[].attributes.body
47 states have banned texting while driving

# data[].attributes.body
Make each case have at least 3 contentions. Contentions = claims. something to argue over.

# data[].attributes.body
They shouldn't be prohibited because according to a report in 2009, 80% of all car wrecks are caused by drivers eating or drinking - not cell phone use (Coffee guzzling being the main reason)

# data[].attributes.body
A study from the Harvard Center of Risk Analysis estimates that cell phone use while driving contributes to 6 percent of crashes, which equates to 636,000 crashes, 330,000 injuries, 12,000 serious injuries and 2,600 deaths each year and a tab of $43 billion, according to a statement from the NSC today.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Note: Scroll down to vote

The National Safety Council today called on state and federal lawmakers to ban the use of cell phones and text-messaging devices while driving and also urged businesses to prohibit it.

The nonprofit, nongovernmental group cites studies showing that the practice is as dangerous as driving drunk.

"Studies show that driving while talking on a cell phone is extremely dangerous and puts drivers at a four times greater risk of a crash," said Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the NSC. "Driving drunk is also dangerous and against the law. When our friends have been drinking, we take the car keys away. It's time to take the cell phone away."

A study from the Harvard Center of Risk Analysis estimates that cell phone use while driving contributes to 6 percent of crashes, which equates to 636,000 crashes, 330,000 injuries, 12,000 serious injuries and 2,600 deaths each year and a tab of $43 billion, according to a statement from the NSC today.

Other distractions

Talking on a cell phone may be less distracting than some other activities people may engage in while driving, Froetscher admits, but she points out that the use of cell phones and texting devices is much more pervasive, making it more dangerous overall.

Studies from the University of Utah show that hands-free devices do not make cell phone calls while driving safe. Another study demonstrates that talking to passengers, as opposed to talking on a cell phone, actually makes adult drivers safer, because passengers help alert drivers to potential driving risks, the NSC stated.

"Talking on a phone while driving is dangerous, period, and our advice to drivers is to simply don't do it," Jonathan Adkins, spokesman for the Governors Highway Safety Association of Washington, DC, said last year. "It taxes the cognitive skills of your brain at the expense of the driving at hand, and if the conversation is stressful your reaction time will not be as quick. Also, whoever you are talking with on the phone does not know what is going on around you, whereas someone in the car talking to you is aware of the circumstances."

John Walls, vice president of CTIA-The Wireless Association, a cell phone trade group, objected to a complete ban, according to the Associated Press.

"We think that you can sensibly and safely use a cell phone to make a brief call," Walls said.

California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Utah, Washington and the District of Columbia ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving, and 17 states and D.C. restrict or ban cell phone use by young drivers.

Worse than drunk driving

One of the leading researchers in this realm is Frank Drews, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Utah. His team has done several studies using volunteers who drive simulators while talking on cell phones. In one study, some of the volunteers got drunk first so their reactions could be compared to people who were talking while driving and to a control group that was entirely focused on driving.

"We found that people are as impaired when they drive and talk on a cell phone as they are when they drive intoxicated at the legal blood-alcohol limit," Drews said. In fact, while some of the participants crashed in a virtual vehicle while sober and chatting, none of them crashed while drunk.

<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" language="javascript" src="http://static.polldaddy.com/p/1268405.js"></script><noscript> <a href ="http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/1268405/" >Should lawmakers ban use of cell phones while driving?</a> <br/> <span style="font-size:9px;"> (<a href ="http://www.polldaddy.com"> surveys</a>)</span></noscript>

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Should Cell Phones Be Banned While Driving?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Note: Scroll down to vote The National Safety Council today called on state and federal lawmakers to ban the use of cell phones and text-messaging devices while driving and also urged businesses to prohibit it. The nonprofit, nongovernmental group cites studies showing that the practice is as dangerous as driving drunk.

# data[].attributes.body
things change over time so research should not be dated a while ago, should be the most recent information.

# data[].attributes.body
Cell phones should be prohibited because you're not only risking your life but you're risking everyone's life around you.