Have you been injured? you may have a case. GET A FREE CONSULTATION

Texting and Driving Statistics: Here’s What To Know

July 6, 2021 by Steven M. Gursten

Texting and driving statistics

Texting and driving statistics show that a driver who engages in this behavior is 23 times more likely to be in a crash. The data shows that this is also more dangerous than drinking and driving and even though 94% of drivers think it is “extremely dangerous,” more than one-third still will text and drive themselves.

What are the texting and driving statistics in Michigan?

Michigan does not provide specific texting and driving statistics, but the data does show that overall auto accidents involving cell phone use and operating a motor vehicle increased approximately 48% between 2016 and 2019. Fatal cell-phone related crashes increased 87.5% over the same time period.

What are the stats nationwide?

Specific stats for the entire U.S. are not available, but NHTSA reports that fatal crashes involving cell phone use increased nearly 9% between 2018 and 2019, whereas the number of people injured in cell phone-related auto accidents decreased 15%.

What does the texting and driving statistics show about drivers’ behavior?

In 2019, 38.6% of drivers reported reading a text while operating a motor vehicle and 29.3% of drivers reported typing a text while operating a motor vehicle, yet more than 94% of all drivers viewed reading and/or typing text messages while driving “to be very or extremely dangerous,” according to the AAA-Foundation for Traffic Safety.

A majority of drivers in 2019 (86%) also supported laws against reading, typing, or sending a text or email while driving.

What does the texting and driving statistics reveal about drivers’ risk of crashing?

The data shows that texting drivers are 23 times more likely to be involved in an auto accident than non-texting drivers and that this behavior is more dangerous than drinking and driving.

Research has shown that texting takes the average driver’s eyes off the road for approximately 4.6 seconds, which is the equivalent of that driver driving the entire distance of a football field including the end zones – blindfolded.

How many accidents are caused by texting and driving?

In Michigan in 2019 there were 2,798 motor vehicle crashes involving cell phone use while driving – up 48% from 1,888 crashes in 2016. Nationally, in 2019, there were 387 fatal car crashes and 28,000 injury crashes involving cell phone use – up 9% and down 15% from 2018.

No data is available about accidents caused specifically by for this type of cell phone use while driving as compared to crashes by other forms of cell phone use while driving.

Does texting and driving cause more accidents?

According to the texting and driving statistics provided, there is no specific data on whether this driving behavior – as compared to a driver’s cell phone use in general – causes more accidents.

However, we do know that a texting driver is 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash and that this driving behavior is more dangerous than drinking and driving.

How many fatal accidents are caused by texting and driving?

According to the texting and driving statistics, there is no data available about how many fatal accidents are specifically texting-related. Nationally, in 2019, there were 387 fatal car accidents involving drivers’ use of a cell phone while driving – up 9% from 356 in 2018.

In Michigan, in 2019, there were 14 fatal crashes involving cell phone use – up 75% from 2016.

How does Michigan law try to improve on this type of cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle?

Michigan’s ban against texting drivers seeks to reduce distraction-related auto accidents and, thus, to improve the texting and driving statistics. Michigan law prohibits all drivers from using a handheld cell phone to text while they are driving. (MCL 257.602b(1))

What are other states doing to prevent this type of cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle?

Except for Missouri and Montana, the other 48 states along with D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands have laws banning drivers from this type of cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle. Of those states and territories, only Florida, Nebraska, Ohio and South Dakota have secondary enforcement of their texting bans.

Injured in an accident caused by a texting driver? Call the auto attorneys at Michigan Auto Law

If you were injured in an accident caused by a texting driver and have questions about your legal rights to pain and suffering compensation, economic damages and No-Fault benefits, you can speak to an experienced auto accident lawyer at (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation. You can also get help from an experienced accident attorney by visiting our contact page or you can use the chat feature on our website.

(Source: Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, Fact Sheets, Cell Phone Use, 2019; NHTSA, Traffic Safety Facts – Research Note, “Distracted Driving 2019,” published April 2021; AAA-Foundation for Traffic Safety, “2019 Traffic Safety Culture Index,” published June 2020; Insurance Institute for Highway Safety; Governors Highway Safety Association)

Texting and Driving Statistics: Here\'s What To Know

[Community Guidelines]

Related Posts
Are U Turns Legal in Michigan?
Are U Turns Legal In Michigan?
February 7, 2024
Michigan seat belt laws: what you need to know
Michigan Seat Belt Laws Overview
February 6, 2024
Michigan social host liability law
Michigan Social Host Liability Law: What You Need To Know
February 5, 2024
1 Shares
Share1
Tweet
Share
Pin
Email