The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving as “any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.”

1. DISTRACTED DRIVING
The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving as
“any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your
phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo,
entertainment or navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the
task of safe driving.”

2. DEATHS AND ACCIDENTS
Distracted driving is the No. 1 contributor
to traffic accidents and deaths each year.
Whether it is using a cell phone, playing
with the radio or even smoking, distracted
driving pulls the driver’s attention from the
road and many times the driver is not
prepared to react when they need to
respond. The true tragedy of distracted
driving is that most accidents caused by
distracted driving could have been avoided.

3. IN 2015
3,477 people died as a result of distracted
driving.
AAA estimates distracted driving
contributes to 16 percent of all fatal crashes.
391,000 were injured in some way in
distracted driving crashes.
NHTSA estimates 660,000 drivers use cell
phones while driving daily.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
report eight people killed and 1,161 injured
each day as a result of distracted driving.

4. EXAMPLES OF DISTRACTED
DRIVING
AAA suggests distraction latency, or the amount
of time for a distracted driver to again become
fully engaged with the road after a distraction,
lasts 27 seconds.
Cell phones – talking or texting
Eating or drinking
Talking to people
Working with the stereo
Using entertainment systems
Using navigation systems

5. TYPES OF DISTRACTION
The CDC lists three types of
distraction:
Visual: taking your eyes off the road
Manual: taking your hands off the
wheel
Cognitive: taking your mind off of
driving.

6. CELL PHONES
61 percent of adults use cell phones
while driving.
47 percent of teens use cell phones
while driving.
6.9 percent of drivers use some sort of
phone while driving during daylight
hours.
542,000 drivers use handheld cell
phones.
Teens make up 4.6 percent of drivers
using handheld cell phones.

7. TEXTING
A Pew Research Poll suggests:
59 percent of those aged 18-34 text while
driving.
27 percent of drivers overall text while
driving.
International Business Times:
Average text takes 4.6 seconds to complete.
At 55 mph, a car travels the length of a
football field in the same period.

8. ECONOMIC COSTS
The NHTSA claims in a study published in 2014 that the total economic
costs of accidents in 2010 exceeded $871 billion. The economic and
societal costs of distracted driving were more than $129 million or 15
percent of the total costs of all motor vehicle crashes.
The costs include loss of life, loss of ability to work, property damage,
medical bills, court bills and the results of litigation and liability, pain
and suffering, decline in quality of life, and other expenses.

9. STATE DISTRACTED DRIVING
LAWS
46 states have laws against distracted driving.
14 states prohibit handheld cell phone use.
According to CBS News, in states that implemented distracted driving
laws between 2003-2010, hospitalization from car crashes went down
more than 7 percent.
Because of laws, education, and other preventative measures, handheld
cell phone use dropped from 6.2 percent of drivers in 2007 to 3.8 percent
in 2015.

10. PREVENTION
The NHTSA has several
recommendations to combat distracted
driving:
Teens: Be active and speak up when
you’re with a friend who engages in
distracted driving.
Parents: Lead by example – never drive
distracted.
Educators and Employers: Educate
about the dangers of distracted driving.

11. CONTACT GUAJARDO & MARKS
If you have been the victim of a distracted driver and need legal assistance, Guajardo &
Marks of Dallas have the experience and resources you need and are proud to help our
fellow Texans in all personal injury situations. Contact us by filling out our online form or
calling us at 972-426-2621.