Top Regions Where Distracted Driving Is a Major Problem

Where Distracted Driving Is the Biggest Problem—and Why It’s So Dangerous

Distracted driving continues to be one of the most dangerous and widespread traffic safety issues in the world today. With mobile phones, dashboard screens, and endless daily distractions, modern drivers are under constant pressure—and the roadways are showing it. But where is distracted driving the worst, and why is it so deadly?

Top Regions Where Distracted Driving Is a Major Problem

1. United States

Distracted driving remains one of the top causes of traffic deaths and injuries nationwide. According to the NHTSA, in 2024 alone, distracted driving led to over 3,000 fatalities and more than 400,000 injuries.

A Verra Mobility survey in 2024 uncovered the following alarming trends in driver perception and behavior:

• 85% of Americans believe distracted driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving.

• 65% say they see a driver using their phone multiple times a week.

• 89% regularly witness speeding.

• 67% see red-light running at least once a month.

• 60% have seen someone speeding in a school zone.

• 63% believe the average driver has gotten worse in recent years.

• 78% say drivers in their state are reckless.

Despite these widespread observations, many drivers view themselves more favorably:

• 65% claimed they have never driven distracted in the past year.

• 74% said they had not used their phone while driving during that time.

• 49% said they stick to the speed limit, while 45% admitted to driving 5–10 mph over.

• 85% claimed they had never exceeded the speed limit in a school zone.

This highlights the disconnect between public perception and personal accountability, a major barrier to solving the problem.

2. Canada

Distracted driving contributes to 21% of fatal collisions and 27% of serious injury crashes, according to Transport Canada.

• British Columbia has reported more deaths from distracted driving than impaired driving.

• Ontario enforces penalties of up to $1,000, 3 demerit points, and license suspension on a first offense.

3. United Kingdom

• Over 420 collisions in 2023 were officially linked to mobile phone use, according to the Department for Transport.

• Experts estimate that as many as 25% of accidents may involve some form of distraction, even if not officially reported.

4. Australia

• New South Wales issued nearly 40,000 mobile phone fines in 2022 using high-tech detection cameras.

• Distracted driving is linked to 1 in 4 road crashes and costs the economy over $30 billion annually.

5. India

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways reported 13,022 accidents caused by mobile phone use in 2022.

• Real figures may be significantly higher due to underreporting and poor enforcement.

Why Distracted Driving Is So Dangerous

Distractions fall into three categories:

Type of Distraction	Example	Risk
Visual	Looking at a phone	Eyes off the road
Manual	Adjusting a radio	Hands off the wheel
Cognitive	Daydreaming	Mind off driving

Key Statistics:

• Looking at your phone for just 5 seconds at 55 mph means you're driving the length of a football field blindfolded.

• Texting increases crash risk by 23x.

• Using a phone reduces driving-related brain activity by up to 37%.

Who’s Most at Risk?

• Drivers under 25: Account for 25% of distracted driving-related deaths.

• Urban commuters: Heavily exposed to visual and cognitive distractions.

• Commercial drivers: Often distracted by logistics apps or hands-free devices.

How to Reduce Distracted Driving

✅ 1. Enforce Stricter Laws

• Most U.S. states now ban texting while driving.

• Countries like the UK and Australia impose large fines, license points, and even jail time.

✅ 2. Leverage Smart Tech

• Apps like AT&T DriveMode and built-in Do Not Disturb While Driving features prevent texting on the road.

• Automakers now include eye-tracking systems and driver monitoring alerts.

✅ 3. Build Awareness

• Campaigns like "It Can Wait" and "Stop it... Or Cop it" have reached millions and helped reduce phone use behind the wheel.

✅ 4. Start at Home and Work

• Parental controls and teen driving contracts build good habits early.

• Employer fleet monitoring apps ensure safety compliance across industries.

Final Thoughts

With over 400,000 injuries and thousands of lives lost each year, distracted driving isn’t just a problem—it’s an epidemic. But it’s also completely preventable. Greater awareness, tougher laws, personal accountability, and better tech can turn the tide.

Eyes on the road. Hands on the wheel. Mind on driving. It really is that simple.

15 Facts About Vehicle Collisions at Intersections

Distribution of Type Crashes at Intersections

An intersection is where two or more roadways meet, cross or overlap is an intersection. In other words, functionally, an intersection is where everything comes together with traffic traveling in different directions. You navigate intersections hundreds of times a day if you live in an urban area. And if you take a road trip, you'll come across vast labyrinths of intersections that look different and very complex.

In a variety of distinct configurations and sizes, intersections can be constructed. Intersections in traffic design may include as many as six streets that converge. For instance, the crossing of two perpendicular streets and yet another street that crosses them diagonally may require a six-way intersection. With as many as eight or ten roadways converging, highway intersections may become extremely complex.

Here are some factual details to help you think about the safety of intersections. 

1. Approximately 40 percent of motor vehicle collisions take place at an intersection or are connected with an intersection. 
2. 21% of all fatal accidents happen at an intersection. 
3. 49 percent of collisions occur at an intersection in urban areas. 
4. Every year, over 32,000 individuals are killed in motor vehicle wrecks. 
5. Car collisions, an additional 2.2 million Americans are injured annually. 
6. Two out of three people say they see someone running a red light a couple of times a week. It is claimed by many that they see this happen once a day. 
7. Each of the three Americans knows that someone was killed or wounded as a result of a red-light running crash. 
8. Out of 1.9 million intersection collisions, the outcome of red-light running was 219,000.
9. 21% of people were killed in car accidents were at  intersection-related car collisions
10. 92% of motor vehicle crashes that occur at an intersection occur in dry weather. 
11. On undivided roadways, 61 percent of intersection accidents occur; on divided roads, 37 percent happen. 
12. 21 to 34, 35 to 39, and 65 + years are the age ranges with the highest number of intersection injuries. 
13. 78% of Americans think that street intersections are unsafe and should be made safer. 
14. The cost of car collisions to society is more than $96 billion a year.
15. Fatalities at intersections (25 percent) involved older persons, while older persons only make up 12.4 percent of the resident U.S. population.

Crashes are usually caused by a driver's lack of attention or improper maneuvers while crossing over at intersections with traffic signals or stop signs. Since their vision is obstructed or they misjudge the speed of an oncoming car, drivers turning left at intersections with traffic signals or stop signs are likely to become involved in accidents. Crashes involving right turns at stop signs are often attributed to a false assumption by a driver about the actions of another vehicle.

Several age distinctions are noted in the study of intersection crash factors: collisions involving drivers aged 24 and younger at intersections of traffic signals are likely to be triggered by internal or external distraction of a driver, a mistaken perception of the behavior of another car, or speeding / aggressive driving. Drivers 25 to 54 at intersections operated by traffic signals are usually involved in accidents because of “ critical non-performance error ” (such as from exhaustion or medical impairment), illegal maneuvers, inattention, or aggressive driving. Crashes at intersections where there are stop signs appear to be caused by insufficient monitoring or misjudging the speed of another vehicle among drivers 55 years old and older.

Female drivers involved in traffic signal-controlled intersection collisions are likely to have misjudged the conduct of other drivers or to have been disturbed by an internal situation. Male drivers, on the other hand, due to crucial non-performance mistakes, improper movements, or reckless driving/speeding, are more likely to have been involved in traffic signal intersection collisions.