Distracted driving has become a much more significant safety concern in recent years. The proliferation of smartphones has meant that more people have become fixated on their digital technology. While distracted driving has been an issue since long before mobile technology was readily available, cell phones, tablets and similar devices significantly worsened distracted driving concerns.
Distracted driving statistics paint a grim picture of road safety in South Carolina and beyond. Lawmakers have even moved to address the issue. There are proposed bills working their way through the legislature that would update the texting while driving statute to make it a hands-free rule like those implemented in many other states. Recent distracted driving statistics make it clear that such adjustments are likely necessary for public safety.
What does the data show?
Distracted driving affects hundreds of thousands of people every year. Many people have close calls on the road that can leave them anxious and hyper-vigilant because a distracted driver almost hit them. Others are less fortunate and end up involved in actual collisions.
Federal crash data shows that 3,308 people died in distracted driving crashes in 2022. Another 289,310 people sustained injuries caused by distracted drivers. That means that approximately 8% of fatal crashes and 12% of crashes causing injuries involved distracted drivers.
People don’t need to be in a vehicle to be at risk. There were 621 distracted-related fatalities involving cyclists, pedestrians and other people who weren’t in motor vehicles. While South Carolina does not have state-level data available, it is easy to see from the federal statistics available that distracted driving is a major safety concern.
People involved in distracted driving collisions may have the right to hold the driver at fault accountable. They can file insurance claims or even personal injury lawsuits. In scenarios where someone dies, their surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit and an insurance claim against the driver at fault for the incident.
Being proactive about limiting mobile devices while driving and watching for people who aren’t as safe can help people limit their distracted driving crash risk. With that said, even the safest driver is vulnerable to bad behavior on the part of other people in traffic. Those affected by distracted drivers may have grounds to hold them accountable for their unsafe habits.