The stretch between Memorial Day and Labor Day has been dubbed the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, due to the uptick in fatal crashes involving a teen driver. Although summer is an exciting time, it’s crucial to spread awareness about how deadly these incidents can be and provide guidance on how to lower the risk.
With that in mind, my team at WhistleOut analyzed the most recent crash data available through the NHTSA and found that distracted driving accounts for a significant number of fatal crashes, killing thousands of people every year. We compiled data on distracted driving in each state to find which populations have been the most impacted by distracted driving deaths and injuries in the U.S.
Missouri ranks #7 in our list of Deadliest States, with 188 deaths and injuries caused by distracted driving in a single year.
Distracted Driving Statistics:
6,165 people are injured or killed annually as a result of distracted driving, according to the most recent data
May is the deadliest month when it comes to distracted driving crashes
New Mexico ranks #1 Deadliest State for the most fatalities and injuries per capita due to distracted driving, with 286 victims in a single year
Young drivers aren’t the only ones driving distracted: 15% of all fatal distracted driving crashes involve a young driver (20 years old or younger), while 23% involve a driver over the age of 65
The biggest culprit for distracted driving is looking at or using a cell phone while driving.
17% of people from our survey of 1,000 U.S. adults admit to using their phone while driving. This jumps to 1 in 5 (21%) for Gen Z and millennials surveyed.
