Introduction
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving as any activity that diverts attention from safe driving.
Examples of Distracted Driving
Data Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2020, November 5). Distracted Driving. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
Summary
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Examples of distracted driving include but are not limited to talking or texting on cell phones, eating and drinking, talking to people inside the vehicle, and manipulating audio systems or navigation systems.
In summary, distracted driving is any activity that shifts a motorist's focus away from driving.
The Federal Highway Administration names safe road users, safe vehicles, safe speeds, safe roads, and post-crash care as key elements of a Safe System. This approach considers human attributes, such as momentary lapses of attention that may lead to roadway injury or fatalities.
Distracted Driving Fatality Trends Nationwide and in California from 2017 to 2021
Data source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2017 – 2020 Final File & 2021 ARF
Summary
- Nationally, 3522 people were killed in distracted driving crashes in 2021.
- In California, there were 140 people killed in distracted driving traffic crashes in 2021.
- Distracted driving fatalities increased nationally by 11.7 percent between 2020 and 2021.
- Distracted driving fatalities increased in California 27.3 percent between 2020 and 2021.
Nationwide Summary
Breakdown of Distracted Driving Fatalities Nationwide and in California in 2021
Data sources: i) Stewart, T. (2023). Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021. DOT HS 813 435. NHTSA. p23; ii) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2017 – 2020 Final File & 2021 ARF
Summary
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In 2021, 8 percent (or 3522) of all motor vehicle fatalities nationwide were distracted driving related.
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In 2021, 3 percent (or 140) of all motor vehicle fatalities in California were distracted driving related.
Cell Phone Use by Motorists Over Time Nationwide in 2021
Data Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2022, August). Driver electronic device use in 2021 (Traffic Safety Facts Research Note. Report No. DOT HS 813 357). NHTSA. Page 1
Summary
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In 2021, the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) indicated a slight decrease (0.1 percent) of motorists talking on cell phone devices, going from 2.6 percent in 2020 to 2.5 percent in 2021.
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Motorists aged 16-24, saw an increase of 1.1 percent in 2021 of drivers holding their phones to their ears while driving.
Main Types of Electronic Device Use While Driving Nationwide in 2021
Data Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2022, August). Driver electronic device use in 2021 (Traffic Safety Facts Research Note. Report No. DOT HS 813 357). NHTSA. Page 1
Summary
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The National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) 2022 observed three prominent types of electronic device use while driving. These include “holding phones to their ears”, “speaking with visible headsets on”, and “visibly manipulating handheld devices”.
Handheld Device Use Nationwide in 2021
Note: The NOPUS data for visible manipulation of handheld devices from 2021 is not comparable to data collected from previous years due to a revised definition that includes drivers interacting with infotainment devices, such as radios, navigation systems, or CarPlay.
Data Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2022, August). Driver electronic device use in 2021 (Traffic Safety Facts Research Note. Report No. DOT HS 813 357). NHTSA. Page 1
Summary
- In 2021, the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) indicated 3.4 percent of drivers were visibly manipulating a handheld device.
California Summary
The information in this section refers to fatally or seriously injured persons in a distracted driving crash in California in 2021.
Distracted Driving Fatalities and Serious Injuries by County in 2021
Top 5 Counties in California by Fatalities
| Ranking | Counties | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego | 15 |
| 2 | Kern | 11 |
| 3 | Fresno | 10 |
| 3 | Orange | 10 |
| 5 | Los Angeles | 9 |
Top 5 Counties in California by Fatalities Per 100k Population
| Ranking | County | Fatalities Per 100k Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lassen | 6.2 |
| 2 | Trinity | 6.2 |
| 3 | Plumas | 5.1 |
| 4 | Lake | 4.4 |
| 5 | Napa | 2.9 |
Top 5 Counties in California by Serious Injuries
| Ranking | County | Serious Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | 122 |
| 2 | San Diego | 39 |
| 3 | Orange | 38 |
| 4 | San Bernardino | 32 |
| 5 | Sacramento | 26 |
Top 5 Counties in California by Serious Injuries Per 100k Population
| Ranking | County | Serious Injuries Per 100k Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sierra | 30.9 |
| 2 | Trinity | 12.4 |
| 3 | Moduc | 11.5 |
| 4 | Colusa | 9.2 |
| 5 | Amador | 7.4 |
Note: The ranking for the number of fatalities per 100k population is based on unrounded calculations.
Data source: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2021; ii) Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2021 iii) 2020 Census State Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171) Summary File, U.S. Census Bureau.
Primary Crash Factors and Crash Types for Distracted Driving Fatal and Serious Injury (FSI) Crashes
Top Five Primary Crash Factors of Distracted Driving Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes in California (2021)
Note: For more information on the different Crash Types, please see the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) Help FAQ page, in the Codebook - Crash Level Section
Data source: Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2021
Summary
- Unsafe speed was the most common primary crash factor in distracted driving FSI crashes in 2021 making up 26.9 percent, followed by improper turning (24.5 percent) and driving or bicycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs (13.5 percent.)
- Traffic signals and signs followed by automobile right of way made up the fourth and fifth most common primary crash factor in distracted driving FSI crashes in 2021 accounting for 7.5 and 7.0 percent respectively.
Crash Location for Fatal Distracted Driving Crashes
Crash Location of Fatal Distracted Crashes in California in 2021
Note: Urban and Rural areas are defined in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) based on the boundaries decided by the US Census Bureau which considers population and housing density.
Data source: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2021; ii) California Public Road Data 2020. pp. 15-17, Table 4 2020 HPMS.
Summary
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Urban Crashes accounted for a little over two thirds (64 percent) of all distracted driving fatal crashes compared to the 36 percent that occurred on rural roads. For comparison, 18.5 percent of travel in 2020 occurred on rural roads.
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Minor arterials were the most common location for distracted driving fatal crashes accounting for 28 percent.
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Principal arterials, followed by interstates made up the second and third most common crash locations in distracted driving fatal crashes accounting for 26 and 18 percent respectively.
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Other Freeways and Expressways, Major Collectors, Local streets, and Minor Collectors constitute the remaining 28 percent.
Victim Demographics for Distracted Driving Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes
Gender, Age and Race in Victims in Fatal and Serious Injury Distracted Driving Crashes in California in 2021
Data sources: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2021; ii) Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2021
Summary
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Male victims made up 60 percent of all fatally injured victims and 60 percent of all seriously injured victims in distracted driving crashes in 2021.
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Victims aged 55-64 were the most represented group in distracted driving crashes in 2021, making up 19.4 percent of fatalities.
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Victims aged 15-24 were the most represented group in distracted driving crashes in 2021, making up 24.9 percent of fatalities.
- Race was reported in only 41.4 percent of all distracted driving fatalities in 2021. Of the 58 fatalities of distracted driving crashes in 2021 with a known race, 76 percent were white.
Top Five Crash Types of Drug-involved Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes in California (2021)
Note: For more information on the different Crash Types, please see the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) Help FAQ page, in the Codebook - Crash Level Section
Data source: Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2021
Summary
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Rear end crashes were the most common type of distracted driving FSI crashes in 2021 making up 26.1 percent, followed by hit object (19.4 percent) and broadside crashes (16.2 percent.)
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Vehicle/pedestrian crashes followed by head-on crashes made up the fourth and fifth most common type of distracted driving FSI crashes in 2021 accounting for 14.5 and 10.4 percent respectively.
Time and Day of Distracted Driving Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes
Time and Day of Fatal Distracted Driving Crashes in California in 2021
Data source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2021
Summary
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The peak period of all distracted driving fatal crashes in 2021 was between Thursday evening, between 6 pm and midnight.
- 18.6 percent of all distracted driving fatal crashes in 2021 occurred between 6 pm and 9 pm.
Time and Day of Serious Injury Distracted Driving Crashes in California in 2021
Data source: Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2021
Summary
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The peak period of all distracted driving serious injury crashes in 2021 was between Saturday afternoon, between 3 pm and 6 pm.
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18.6 percent of all distracted driving serious injury crashes in 2021 occurred between 3pm and 6pm.