November 12, 2021
Is There Anything More Dangerous Than Drunk Driver Behind The Wheel?You are probably asking what can be more dangerous than a drunk driver?
The answer is – a driver who engages in texting and driving.
Statistics show that a driver who engages in texting and driving is 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash. Data shows this is more dangerous than drinking and driving and even though 94% of drivers think it is “extremely dangerous,” more than one-third will continue to text and drive.
Specific stats for the entire U.S. are not available, but NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) 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%.
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