Safety experts warn that the increasing prevalence of infotainment screens in modern vehicles poses a significant risk of distraction for drivers. Despite a 3.6% decrease in traffic fatalities in the U.S. in 2023 compared to the previous year, with 40,990 deaths recorded, this marks the third consecutive year that fatalities have surpassed 40,000, according to estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released on April 1.
NHTSA also disclosed fresh statistics on distracted driving and initiated a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the hazards of driving while distracted. Data from NHTSA reveals that distraction-related fatalities had risen by 8% from 2017 to 2021, reaching 3,308 individuals in 2022. Moreover, an estimated 289,310 people sustained injuries in distracted driving accidents in 2022, as reported by the agency. Information for 2023 has not yet been made available.
However, the precise number of deaths attributed to distracted driving on U.S. roads annually remains uncertain. NHTSA relies on data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, which draws from police reports, death certificates, coroner reports, and various state data sources. Inconsistencies in the reporting of distracted-driving incidents among states contribute to either underestimation or overestimation of distracted driving as a factor in vehicle accidents, according to NHTSA.
Pascuccio and CMT collaborated with the Governors Highway Safety Association on a research report released on March 28, which delves into the issue of distracted driving. The report highlights smartphone-based distracted driving as one of the most perilous yet prevalent behaviors contributing to entirely preventable crashes.
