When driving, people need to be attentive and focused on the road to reduce the risk of accidents.
Drivers who are distracted can be involved in car accidents.
According to some reports, distracted driving caused by texting, reaching for an object, eating or drinking, and having intense conversations leads to approximately 1.6 million car accidents annually.
Five seconds of distraction while driving at 55 miles per hour is like driving a 360 feet long football field while your eyes are closed.
This is how dangerous to be distracted while on the road.
Do you want to know how many people die from texting and driving? This article is for you.
Key Statistics
- More than 3,500 people have died in recent years because of distracted driving.
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 396 people die from texting and driving accidents in 2020.
- About 496 people died from texting and driving in 2016.
- Around 202 teens aged 15-19 years old died in accidents related to texting and driving.
- Fatal distraction-affected traffic crashes involving the use of cell phones reached 377 in 2021, equivalent to 11.7%.
- Drivers manipulating hand-held devices like cell phones while driving in 2021 reached 3.4%
- 48 States in the US prohibit texting and driving for all drivers.
- Penalties for drivers caught texting and driving have specific fines of $20 or more. It can also increase insurance premiums.
How Many People Die From Texting and Driving in 2025?
Distractions while driving take the driver’s eyes and mind off the road.
They divert the attention and focus of every driver away from the task of driving.
Reports show that around 3,522 people have died in recent years because of distracted driving.
Roughly 400,000 injuries from accidents caused by texting and driving are recorded annually.
In the United States, one in four car accidents is due to texting and driving.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 396 people died from texting and driving in 2020, equivalent to more than one death daily.
This fatal crash accident count is down compared to 2019, wherein 430 people died because of the same reason.
In the same year, around 566 bicyclists and pedestrians die in accidents involved in driver distraction.
Number of People Die from Texting and Driving
Let’s take a look at the number of people who die from texting and driving:
- In 2016, about 496 people die from texting and driving
- In 2017, about 450 people die from texting and driving
- In 2018, about 393 people die from texting and driving
- In 2019, about 430 people die from texting and driving
- In 2020, about 396 people die from texting and driving
What Age Group Mostly Dies from Texting and Driving
Texting and driving can affect all people across various age groups.
However, certain age groups engage in this risky activity most often.
Data reveals that younger drivers are a high-risk group when it comes to texting and driving accidents.
7% of teens between 15 to 19 years old died in an accident caused by distracted driving in 2018.
Approximately 202 teens aged 15 to 19 died in accidents related to texting and driving.
Fatal Crashes Involving Cell Phones
Cell phones are one of the common causes of distraction among drivers.
One beep can divert their attention.
Reading or sending a text message while driving can increase the risk of car accidents.
According to the National Safety Council, the number of fatal distraction-affected traffic crashes involving the use of cell phones reached 377 in 2021, equivalent to 11.7%.
Meanwhile, fatal distraction-affected traffic crashes caused by other reasons reached 2,834, equal to 88.3%.
Percentage of Drivers Using Cell Phones While Driving
The percentage of drivers with visible manipulation of hand-held devices like cell phones while driving has increased from 1.3% in 2011 to 3.4% in 2021.
This includes texting and calling.
Here are the percentages of drivers with visible manipulation of hand-held devices while driving:
- Drivers manipulating hand-held devices like cell phones while driving in 2016 reached 2.1%
- Drivers manipulating hand-held devices like cell phones while driving in 2017 reached 2.0%
- Drivers manipulating hand-held devices like cell phones while driving in 2018 reached 2.1%
- Drivers manipulating hand-held devices like cell phones while driving in 2019 reached 2.9%
- Drivers manipulating hand-held devices like cell phones while driving in 2020 reached 2.8%
- Drivers manipulating hand-held devices like cell phones while driving in 2021 reached 3.4%
Consequences of Texting and Driving
Texting and driving can cause severe consequences, not only for the driver but also for the passengers, road users, and pedestrians.
It increases the potential risk of car accidents and fatal crashes.
About 48 States in the United States prohibit texting and driving for all drivers, excluding Montana, and Missouri.
Penalties for drivers caught texting and driving start with specific fines, from $20-$500.
Fines are higher in some places like Oregon and Alaska.
Aside from that, being involved in texting and driving accidents can increase insurance premiums.
Insurance companies can consider drivers who engaged in distracted driving as higher-risk drivers.
This results in higher car insurance rates or difficulty in acquiring coverage.
Conclusion
When drivers are distracted, they may fail to notice some traffic cues like vehicles changing lanes, traffic signals, and pedestrian crossing.
This increases the risk of accidents. One of the primary causes of distraction is texting.
Texting and driving is a dangerous act.
Once drivers take their eyes off the road or let their minds focus on other things while driving, they increase the potential risk of fatal crashes.
Roughly 400 people die in accidents caused by texting and driving.
That’s how many people die from texting and driving. Thanks for reading our article.