Driving While Distracted Statistics From Nationwide

Learn about the dangers of driving while distracted (DWD) and cell phone use while driving with helpful information from Nationwide Insurance to assist accident prevention when you're behind the wheel.

Cell phone driving statistics 

• Distraction from cell phone use while driving (hand held or hands free) extends a driver's reaction as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08%. (University of Utah)
• The No.1 source of driver inattention is use of a wireless device. (Virginia Tech /NHTSA)
• Drivers that use cell phones are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (NHTSA, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
• 10% of drivers aged 16 to 24 years old are on their phone at any one time.
• Driving while distracted is a factor in 25% of police reported crashes.
• Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%. (Carnegie Mellon)

Read more about the 2008 DWD survey results

• 2008 DWD Survey Results
• 2008 DWD Fact Sheet