5 datos no tan divertidos sobre la conducción distraída 

Distracted driving is a devastating choice that affects thousands of Texans every year. Distracted driving refers to any action that shifts your eyes and focus away from the road. In honor of April being Distracted Driving Awareness Month, we want to share 5 not-so-fun facts about distracted driving. We hope that shedding light on these statistics will cause drivers to think twice about driving while distracted. 

1) Texas ranked 13^el for the worst distracted driving states in the US. 

MonkeyGeek conducted an analysis of crashes reported from 2018 to 2020 and analyzed factors that contributed to each crash. According to their research, 9.9% of fatal car crashes in Texas were attributed to distracted driving. When added to a national analysis, this ranks Texas as the 13^el most dangerous state for distracted driving. Fort Worth, Houston, Dallas, and Austin were listed as some of the most dangerous cities in Texas for distracted driving. 

2) 1 in 5 car crashes were caused by distracted driving in 2024.  

TxDot reports that 1 in 5 car crashes in Texas were caused by distracted driving in 2024, with factors including, but not limited to texting, eating, grooming, and speeding. As a result of these crashes, 2,587 people were injured and 373 people lost their lives. However, those involved in the crash were not the only ones impacted. Thousands of families, friends, and community members had to suffer the loss of a loved one for something that could have been easily prevented. 

3) Cell phone use was one of the leading factors. 

With the advanced technology that we have now, t’s almost inevitable to receive notifications while driving. While some may think it’s harmless to take a quick glance at their phone, cell phone use was one of the leading causes of distracting driving in 2024. On average, it takes only four seconds to read a text message. Doesn’t sound like a long time, but in that short period, a vehicle traveling at 55 mph can travel 360 feet– the entire length of a professional football field. 

4) Teen drivers are more likely to drive distracted. 

According to research provided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teen drivers are more likely to be involved in distracted driving crashes than adult drivers. After evaluating fatal crashes in 2019, their research showed that 9% of these crashes involved a distracted driver between the ages of 15-20. This was higher than the average of adults 21 and older, with percentages ranging between 4-6%. 

5) Distracted driving slows reaction time similar to driving while intoxicated. 

We all know that drinking and driving is a dangerous choice that risks the lives of you and other drivers. While many Texans take preventative measures to drink responsibly by designating a designated driver or calling an Uber, they still partake in distracted driving, such as reading or sending a text message. According to the Texas Transportation Institute, driving while distracted can slow a driver’s reaction time by 50%, which is similar and just as deadly as driving under the influence of alcohol. 

As we consider the consequences for distracted driving, let’s remind ourselves of the serious risks associated with a “quick” look at a cellphone or another distraction. No distraction is worth a human life, and tragedy can happen in an instant. Let’s all commit to being fully present every time we are behind the wheel – it’s a simple task that could create monumental change.