Texting and Driving Statistics
While we don't have the specific number of people who were killed by texting and driving, we do know that approximately 3,522 people died in 2021 due to distracted driving. Texting and driving is counted as distracted driving, and it contributed to some of those deaths, but likely not all of them. Either way, it is possible to have a texting and driving death, and there are many of them each year. This means that if you are texting while driving around, you could be putting yourself and others at risk of death. A serious accident could occur because you are texting and driving, and that could result in your death or the death of someone else.
Quick Texting and Driving Facts
- 3,522 people died from distracted driving in 2021
- Texting and driving tickets cost between $25 and $500
- A text takes your eyes off the road for several seconds
- Approximately 30,000 accidents will be caused by texting and driving in 2023
How Many Accidents Are Caused By Texting and Driving
It is nearly impossible to say how many of distracted-driving accidents are caused by texting and driving today. According to police reports, approximately 9% of all distracted driving incidents are caused by texting today. That means that a significant number of accidents are caused by texting and driving.
When looking at reported accident figures, you can break down the number of accidents caused by texting to around 30,000 incidents in the US annually. This figure is only for reported accidents, though, and we know there are many more accidents that go unreported each year; some of those accidents were also caused by texting and driving.
Texting and Driving is Illegal in 48 States
Nearly all of the states in the United States have laws prohibiting texting and driving - the exceptions of Montana and Missouri. This means that you can receive a fine or have your license taken away for texting while you're driving a vehicle. There are different levels of severity depending on the state that you're in, but it's safe to say that if you're texting while driving down the road, you are breaking the law in nearly every state throughout the United States.
Most police officers will not be able to pull you over for texting and driving only since it can be difficult to see as you drive past. However, if a police officer notices an open phone within easy access of the driver once pulled over, the officer may get a court order to go through the texts to see if any were sent within minutes of pulling the driver over. Those court orders typically allow the police to look back as far as 180 days.
Most States Make Texting While Driving a Primary Offense
Texting and driving laws are primary laws in all but five states. When a driving violation is a primary law, it can be the sole reason that you're pulled over by a police officer. That means you can be pulled over just for texting and driving. In the three states that have texting and driving listed as secondary laws, the officer must pull you over for something else first before being able to issue you a ticket for texting and driving.
How Much is a Texting and Driving Ticket
If you're pulled over for texting and driving, you can be charged with a ticket and a fine. The fine that's associated with the offense is different depending on the state that you're in and whether it is your first, second, or third offense. You should expect to pay somewhere between $25 and $500 for being pulled over for texting and driving, and it's rare to pay anywhere near $500 for your first offense in most states. However, the exception is Alaska, where texting and driving can lead to a $10,000 fine, plus it could lead to up to a year in jail. The fines for a first-time offense are usually pretty small, but not always.
How to Avoid Texting and Driving
If you've ever made the mistake of texting while driving, you put yourself at risk of getting a ticket and getting into an accident. It's a bad idea to text and drive, and the activity will likely eventually end with something bad. That's why you should commit to putting away your cell phone while driving. Always stash your cell phone while driving around, and you won't be tempted to read text messages as they come in.
Another way to avoid texting while driving is to set up your phone to avoid giving you text messages until you're finished driving. There are special apps that help you avoid distractions while you're driving down the road. If you have a hard time ignoring messages when you're driving, one of these tools will help you ignore those messages more effectively until you're stopped.
By taking small steps like putting away your cell phone or having your text messages blocked while you are driving down the road, you can remove the temptation to text and drive and keep yourself safe along the way. If you don't text and drive, you won't be at risk of getting a ticket, and you will protect yourself from needless accidents each year too.
Avoid Buying Cars Involved in Texting and Driving Accidents, Too
Texting and driving is a major cause of accidents each year, but it's just one of the causes of accidents. Many vehicle owners get into accidents each year, and some of those owners sell their vehicles after getting into serious accidents. This is why a car history report is a useful tool if you're shopping for a used vehicle. The report can help you avoid vehicles that were in serious accidents so you don't get stuck with major structural issues that you otherwise wouldn't have known about.
