New data shows distracted driving up 68.8% and the cause of 3,275 daily deaths

The latest data from LexisNexis Risk Solutions shows that, across all age demographics, distracted driving has increased by 68.8% year-over-year (YoY).

Silent Generation drivers (ages 66-90) have seen the largest increase, up 80.3% followed by Millennials (ages 26-35), up 77.3%, and Gen X (ages 46-55), up 68.1%.

According to Avian Law Group’s new report, “Distracted Driving in 2025: The Smartphone Safety Epidemic,” 3,275 people were killed and 324,819 injured in distracted driving crashes in 2023 alone, which is equal to nearly nine deaths and 890 injuries every day. The firm defines distracted driving in the report as texting, emailing, talking on the phone (including hands-free), eating and drinking, adjusting the GPS or stereo, and talking to passengers.

Texting while driving remains the most dangerous behavior, increasing crash risk 23 times, especially for drivers under 30, according to the report.

“Small distractions have deadly consequences,” said lead attorney Michael Avanesian, in a press release. “This isn’t just a bad habit — it’s a public safety emergency.”

At 55 mph, reading or sending a text takes drivers’ eyes off the road for five seconds, or the length of a football field, the report says.

More than 326,000 drivers were observed using handheld phones during daylight hours in 2023; however, the report states the actual number is likely far higher.

The report found that drivers aged 16-24 are the most likely to text, use social media, or record videos while driving.

Other findings from the report state that:

• • Modern infotainment systems can distract drivers for up to 40 seconds, even with voice controls.
  • Crashes peak between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays, and during spring and summer, when teen drivers are more active.
  • Despite laws in 48 states banning texting and 27 banning handheld use, enforcement is limited, and penalties are often minimal.

Avian Law Group is calling for a united effort to address the issue: stronger laws, better enforcement, and education for young drivers, the release says.

The firm also encourages drivers to use “Do Not Disturb” features, preset directions and playlists, and to lead by example, especially for teens.

“Technology should work for us, not endanger us,” said Avanesian. “Safer cars and smarter choices can save thousands of lives.”

In addition to increased distracted driving trends, LexisNexis found, from a YoY perspective, that older drivers (ages 66-90) had the highest increase of DUIs this year at 19%.

Compared to baseline data (pre-pandemic 2019), that figure jumps to 44.8%.

“With only a 6.6% increase year-over-year, drivers aged 36-45 see the second largest uptick (+27.4%) when compared to 2019 baselines,” LexisNexis said.

As for speeding, major and minor violations are up 29.4% and 35.7%, respectively, despite a modest 1.2% increase in Department of Transportation mileage, according to LexisNexis.

“Compared to pre-pandemic (2019) levels, major speeding violations have risen by 55.5% while minor speeding violations have increased by 31.2%,” LexisNexis said.

Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) has also shared some interesting anecdotal data on LinkedIn recently.

Posts by Ryan McMahon, CMT’s senior vice president of strategy and corporate development, include photos and videos of high-risk areas for collisions, spotlighting infrastructure and distracted driving challenges.

The first example he provides is at a Florida airport.

“Within 20 seconds, I saw the first, then the second driver approaching a crosswalk with a phone in their hands,” McMahon wrote. “This location at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) has about 26% more distraction exposure than the Florida overall average.

“Despite this, airports generally pose a lower roadway risk due to lower speeds that mitigate the impact of distractions and have dedicated individuals to manage traffic and pedestrian safety. RSW does a great job at this.”

A second example, in Lexington, Kentucky, shows collision risks associated with an area notorious for hard braking and distracted driving, according to McMahon’s research.

“This road has extremely high risk hard braking events at key points on it, it’s a 35mph road but the 85th percentile is 45mph and it ranks above average for distracted driving,” he wrote. “As discussed in the commentary, this crash would have been fatal if there were occupants on the passenger side.”

McMahon shared another area in Lexington where he conducted a risk analysis.

“This location jumped off the map,” he wrote. “A stop sign almost completely hidden by trees. But this was also a work zone, and with that came: A ‘No Left Turn’ sign right at the decision point [and] a sidewalk closure that forces pedestrians into the street or to cross the road in a tricky spot.”

He also shared areas in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Washington, D.C. that he found concerning for line of sight, distracted driving, and excessive speed risks, caused in part by highway design.

Images

Featured image credit: andresr/iStock

Graphs provided by LexisNexis