Crash Statistics: Drivers Involved in Crashes Admit Risky Behavior

Distracted driving continues to be a major cause of accidents in America. While this unlikely comes as a surprise, what is surprising is how little improvement has been made.

Recently, AAA released a report that analyzed data from drivers involved in at least one crash in the last two years. Here are some of their key findings:

• 50% of those involved in a recent crash admit to talking on a hand-held device while driving in the past month, compared to 42% not involved in a crash.
• 43% of those involved in a recent crash admit to texting while driving in the past month, compared to 27% not involved in a crash.
• 96% of those involved in a recent car accident admit it is very or extremely dangerous to drive while texting/sending an email but were the same ones who engaged in the practice.
• 43.7% read, and 42.7% typed text messages even when they thought they might get caught by police.

These statistics show that not only do phones increase the likelihood of collisions, but that those involved in crashes don’t seem to change their behavior even after getting in an accident. Individuals may know that distracted driving is dangerous, but this knowledge isn’t changing behavior.

2020 Distracted Driving Statistics

In addition to the AAA report, others such as the CDC and NHTSA have reported recent statistics on distracted driving.

The CDC reports distracted driving claims 9 lives per day – approximately 3,500 per year. NHTSA data states more than 1,000 people are injured daily in accidents in which at least one driver was distracted. Additionally, the New York Times found that drivers who text and drive are 23 times more likely to become involved in a car accident.

Safety Tips

While distracted driving continues to be a dangerous problem, here are some simple tips to remember to stay safe on the road:

• Stow your smartphone away
• Slow down
• Stay alert
• Only drive sober
• Always wear your seatbelt

If you or someone you know has been injured because of a distracted driver, contact us at Regan Zambri Long PLLC today for a no-cost consultation.