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 2019 to 2023
Data source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2019 – 2022 Final File & 2023 ARF
Summary
- Nationally, 3275 people were killed in distracted driving crashes in 2023.
- In California, there were 158 people killed in distracted driving traffic crashes in 2023.
- Distracted driving fatalities decreased nationally by 1.2 percent between 2022 and 2023.
- Distracted driving fatalities increased in California 6.8 percent between 2022 and 2023.
Nationwide Summary
Breakdown of Distracted Driving Fatalities Nationwide and in California in 2023
Data sources: i) National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2025, April). Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. DOT HS 813 705. NHTSA, page 11; ii) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2019 – 2022 Final File & 2023 ARF
Summary
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In 2023, 8 percent (or 3,275) of all motor vehicle fatalities nationwide were distracted driving related.
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In 2023, 4 percent (or 158) of all motor vehicle fatalities in California were distracted driving related.
Cell Phone Use by Motorists Over Time Nationwide in 2023
National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2024, November). Driver electronic device use in 2023 (Traffic Safety Facts Research Note. Report No. DOT HS 813 660). NHTSA. Page 4, table 1
Summary
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In 2023, the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) indicated no change of motorists talking on cell phone devices, staying at 2.1 percent in 2023 versus 2022.
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Motorists aged 16-24, saw an increase of 12.5 percent in 2023 of drivers holding their phones to their ears while driving.
Main Types of Electronic Device Use While Driving Nationwide in 2023
Data Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2024, November). Driver electronic device use in 2023 (Traffic Safety Facts Research Note. Report No. DOT HS 813 660). NHTSA. Page 1
Summary
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The National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) 2023 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 2023
Data Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2024, November). Driver electronic device use in 2023 (Traffic Safety Facts Research Note. Report No. DOT HS 813 660). NHTSA. Page 1
Summary
- In 2023, the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) indicated 3.0 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 2023.
Distracted Driving Fatalities and Serious Injuries by County in 2023
Top 5 Counties in California by Fatalities
| Ranking | Counties | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | 20 |
| 1 | Riverside | 18 |
| 3 | San Bernardino | 14 |
| 4 | Kern | 9 |
| 5 | Orange | 8 |
Top 5 Counties in California by Fatalities Per 100k Population
| Ranking | County | Fatalities Per 100k Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tuolumne | 5.5 |
| 2 | Inyo | 5.3 |
| 3 | Sutter | 4.1 |
| 4 | Merced | 2.1 |
| 5 | Butte | 1.9 |
Top 5 Counties in California by Serious Injuries
| Ranking | County | Serious Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | 151 |
| 2 | San Diego | 45 |
| 3 | Riverside | 41 |
| 4 | Orange | 34 |
| 5 | San Bernardino | 33 |
Top 5 Counties in California by Serious Injuries Per 100k Population
| Ranking | County | Serious Injuries Per 100k Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plumas | 21.1 |
| 2 | Modoc | 11.7 |
| 3 | Lassen | 10.5 |
| 4 | Merced | 6.3 |
| 5 | Trinity | 6.3 |
Note: The ranking for the number of fatalities per 100k population is based on unrounded calculations.
Data sources: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2023; ii) Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2023 iii) State of California, Department of Finance, E-4 Population Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State, 2021-2025, with 2020 Census Benchmark. Sacramento, California, May 2025.
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 (2023)
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) 2023
Summary
- Unsafe speed was the most common primary crash factor in distracted driving FSI crashes in 2023 making up 24.2 percent, followed by improper turning (15.6 percent) and driving or bicycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs (11.8 percent.)
- Pedestrian violation followed by traffic signals and signs made up the fourth and fifth most common primary crash factor in distracted driving FSI crashes in 2023 accounting for 11 and 9.5 percent respectively.
Crash Location for Fatal Distracted Driving Crashes
Crash Location of Fatal Distracted Crashes in California in 2023
Note: Urban and Rural areas are defined in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) based on the boundaries decided by the U.S. Census Bureau which considers population and housing density.
Data sources: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2023; ii) California Public Road Data 2022. pp. 10-12, Table 4 2022 HPMS. https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/research-innovation-system-information/documents/hpms2022_prd_final.pdf
Summary
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Urban Crashes accounted for 74 percent of all distracted driving fatal crashes compared to the 26 percent that occurred on rural roads. For comparison, 18.9 percent of travel in 2022 occurred on rural roads.
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Principal arterials were the most common location for distracted driving fatal crashes accounting for 37 percent.
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Minor arterials, followed by interstates made up the second and third most common crash locations in distracted driving fatal crashes accounting for 22 and 11 percent respectively.
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Other Freeways and Expressways, Major Collectors, Local streets, and Minor Collectors constitute the remaining 30 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 2023
Data sources: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2023; ii) Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2023
Summary
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Male victims made up 62 percent of all fatally injured victims and seriously injured victims in distracted driving crashes in 2023.
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Male victims aged 25-34 were the most represented group in distracted driving crashes in 2023, making up 15.8 percent of fatalities.
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Male victims aged 25-34 were the most represented group in distracted driving crashes in 2023, making up 16.1 percent of serious injuries.
- Race was reported in only 23.4 percent of all distracted driving fatalities in 2023. Of the 37 fatalities of distracted driving crashes in 2023 with a known race, 84 percent were white.
Top Five Crash Types of Distracted Driving Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes in California (2023)
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) 2023
Summary
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Vehicle/pedestrian crashes were the most common type of distracted driving FSI crashes in 2023 making up 25.9 percent, followed by rear end (19.6 percent) and broadside crashes (19.3 percent.)
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Hit object crashes followed by head-on crashes made up the fourth and fifth most common type of distracted driving FSI crashes in 2023 accounting for 12.9 and 10.7 percent respectively.
Time and Day of Distracted Driving Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes
Time and Day of Fatal Distracted Driving Crashes in California in 2023
Data source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2023
Summary
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The peak period of all distracted driving fatal crashes in 2023 were Friday and Sunday evening, between 6pm and 9pm.
- 21.4 percent of all distracted driving fatal crashes in 2023 occurred between 6 pm and 9 pm.
Time and Day of Serious Injury Distracted Driving Crashes in California in 2023
Data source: Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2023
Summary
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The peak period of all distracted driving serious injury crashes in 2023 was Thursday afternoon, between 3 pm and 6 pm.
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37.4 percent of all distracted driving serious injury crashes in 2023 occurred between 3pm and 9pm.