A new study by smart mobility technology firm Verra Mobility has revealed that 85% of Americans believe distracted driving is equal to or more dangerous than drinking and driving.
The study, which is being released during Distracted Driving Awareness Month, surveyed 2,000 Americans aged 18+, who drive multiple times per week, and explored their perceptions of driving behaviors, including distracted driving.
It found that Americans are witnessing dangerous driving behaviors regularly. Key findings included: 89% witness speeding at least a couple times a week; 67% witness red light running at least once a month; 65% witness a driver using their phone behind the wheel at least a couple times a week, and 60% have witnessed speeding in a school zone.
The survey also found 63% of Americans feel the average driver has gotten worse in recent years, and 78% think drivers in their state are reckless.
Distracted driving remains a serious problem for American roadways, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reporting that in 2024 alone, distracted driving was the cause of more than 3,000 deaths and over 400,000 injuries nationwide.
While drivers reported witnessing reckless driving daily, when asked to self-report their own behavior the numbers were surprising. 65% of respondents reported that they have ‘never’ driven distracted in the past year.
Meanwhile, 74% claimed they had not used their phone while driving in the past year; 49% reported they typically drove the speed limit, and an additional 45% said they typically drove 5-10mph over the speed limit, and 85% said they had never exceeded the speed limit in a school zone.
These numbers are in stark contrast to other driving behavior studies. For example, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 87% of drivers engage in unsafe behaviors behind the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports distracted driving claimed 3,308 lives in the US in 2022. And, according to data from the National Safety Council, an average of nine lives are lost each day due to distracted driving.
“The biggest takeaway from this survey is that Americans understand and recognize the dangers of distracted driving but may not be so inclined to recognize it in their own driving behaviors,” said Jon Baldwin, executive vice president of government solutions at Verra Mobility.
“I believe that the average American is a good driver and cares about safety on the roads. However, being self-aware is key to making our roads safer so that everyone takes responsibility for their own driving behavior. Fortunately, we found most Americans support a critical tool to help change these unsafe behaviors – automated photo enforcement.”
When surveyors were asked about their opinions of technology-enabled safety programs that improve driving behavior, most Americans (59% of respondents) were in support of automated enforcement. Where the support becomes really apparent is when it comes to children – 77% support these programs for school zones and 96% support them for school buses.
“Americans supporting automated enforcement is comforting to know as this helps uphold our state laws while freeing up law enforcement to focus on other key matters,” added Baldwin. “The fact that an overwhelming majority support this to uphold safety measures for our children is something we all should be proud of.”
