Despite widespread warnings about the dangers of impaired or distracted driving, many Americans say they have engaged in risky behaviors behind the wheel.
We commissioned online marketing firm SliceMR and surveyed 1,851 adults aged 18 and older nationwide about their driving habits. Of those, 997 people – or 53.7% – admitted to using their cell phones while behind the wheel or engaging in other risky behaviors such as speeding or driving while intoxicated.
- Cell phones are the biggest distraction for drivers who acknowledge risky behavior.
- Sixty percent of those who answered affirmatively said they had talked on the phone while driving, while more than 1 in 4 said they had texted.
- More than half of those who admit to risky behavior say they’ve exceeded the speed limit while driving.
- A minority of people admitting to being distracted – less than 10% – said they had used marijuana or consumed alcohol before hitting the road.
“A distraction is anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel and your mind off of driving,” says Adam Snider, director of communications for the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Risky driving behaviors also impact car insurance rates. A single ticket for speeding, driving under the influence (DUI) or being involved in an at-fault accident can raise your premium by hundreds of dollars.
Multiple violations can lead to being labeled a high-risk driver and being dropped by your insurer.
Distraction calls when phones go mobile
Mobile phones are so commonplace that many people don’t think about when or where they’re using them – or that talking while driving can be a distraction. Of those who admitted to risky driving behavior, 60.7% say they spoke on the phone while driving.
“We need to address this from the ground up in terms of culture change and normalize the fact that as busy as we are, to put that phone down while you’re driving,” Snyder says.
But you don’t have to be talking on the phone to be distracted by it. Just using it can take your focus away from the road.
Some 41.3% of those admitting to risky behavior said they’ve used an app while driving. And that also can be dangerous, says Joe Young, media relations director for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
“You can be staring at the road but be completely distracted,” he says. “Distracted driving doesn’t always clearly present itself, and in a lot of instances when there’s a crash, the driver won’t admit to it.”
Penalties for distracted driving vary by state. While jail time is unlikely, drivers typically face fines, civil penalties and points on their license. Repeated offenses often result in harsher consequences.
In California, for example, driving while using a cell phone is unlawful unless it’s done so hands-free for listening and talking. The first offense carries a fine of $20, with fines increasing for repeat offenses. Connecticut’s fine for using a mobile phone is steeper at $200 for a first offense and increasing for repeated violations.
Texting is distracting, too
Texting while driving – as 28.7% of drivers admitting to distracted driving said they have done – is also perilous because it can blind you for several crucial seconds. A mere 5 seconds spent texting while driving at 55 mph equates to covering the length of a football field blindfolded, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Texting and driving is illegal in most states, and the penalties can be severe. In Alaska, reading or typing a text message or email on a mobile device in a moving vehicle carries up to a $500 fine. But texting becomes a felony if distracted driving causes injuries or death.
Aside from fines and potential legal consequences, a texting ticket can significantly increase your insurance costs. On average, drivers can expect a 24% increase in their premiums, but this can vary depending on what insurance company you have.
Watching videos while driving is also distracting
Watching videos is even more distracting cognitively and visually, but 10.9% of people admitting to using their cell phones said they’ve done it — and it’s not even against the law in some states.
In Kentucky, for example, it’s legal for drivers to watch videos because state law only bans texting while driving and provides exemptions for using GPS functions and entering phone numbers. It’s also OK for drivers to browse social media.
Minnesota drivers are prohibited from accessing video or audio content on a mobile device. A violation can result in a fine of up to $300. Utah and Washington also prohibit watching videos on mobile devices while driving.
“There’s no excuse for watching videos,” Snider says. “It’s horribly selfish and unsafe, and there’s absolutely no reason anyone should be doing that.”
Intoxication – the most dangerous form of distraction
Impaired driving, whether because of alcohol or marijuana, is another threat to public safety. About 32% of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers, according to the NHTSA, killing 13,524 people in 2022, the most recent year for which data is available.
Nearly 1 in 10 drivers admitting to risky behavior (8.7%) said they have driven after having consumed alcohol. Another 3.6% said they have driven while drinking alcohol. Alcohol impairs judgment, reaction time and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents and fatalities.
The use of drugs such as marijuana is also a safety risk on the roads. According to the NHTSA, 56% of drivers involved in serious injury and fatal crashes tested positive for at least one drug.
Despite the associated risk, 8.9% of respondents said they have driven after consuming marijuana. Another 5.1% said they’ve smoked pot while behind the wheel.
“It’s an impairing substance,” Snider says. “It slows your reaction time and dulls your reasoning abilities.”
Penalties for impaired driving vary by state and include fines, license suspension and jail time. The fine for driving under the influence in Massachusetts is $500 to $5,000 and up to 2 ½ years in jail. Offenders also have their licenses suspended for a year.
Michigan, however, is more lenient, imposing fines of $100 to $500 and up to 93 days in jail. Violators also have tier licenses suspended for 180 days.
And as with speeding, if you drive while impaired and get caught, your insurance rates will increase.
The average car insurance premium for a driver with a single DUI on their record is $3,837 per year, nearly $2,000 more than for a driver with a good record. If you get a second DUI, you will pay even more: $5,780 annually on average.
More than half of drivers admit to speeding
If you’re distracted by your phone or aren’t sober, there’s a good chance you’re not paying attention to the speed limit while driving. Exceeding the speed limit can have severe consequences.
In 2022, speeding killed 12,151 people and was a factor in 29% of traffic fatalities, according to the most recent data from the NHTSA. Despite such risk, more than half of surveyed drivers (52.3%) admit to exceeding speed limits, highlighting the prevalence of this dangerous behavior.
“Speeding is one of our biggest safety challenges,” Young says, noting that it causes more than 12,000 deaths annually.
According to the NHTSA, when drivers speed, their reaction time slows, and their ability to control the vehicle diminishes. The increased risk of accidents is compounded by longer stopping distances at higher speeds. If there is a collision, the impact force is significantly greater, leading to more severe injuries and fatalities.
Speeding can also have long-term financial implications. Insurance companies view speeding as a risky behavior and car insurance rates jump by as much as 136% after receiving a speeding ticket.
How to prevent distracted driving
Safety experts offer the following tips for eliminating distractions while driving and keeping risky behavior off the roads:
- Keep your phone out of reach, such as in a purse or glovebox, to avoid the temptation of using it while driving.
- Activate the do-not-disturb mode on your phone to prevent incoming calls and texts from interrupting your focus.
- Use hands-free options like connecting your phone to your car’s audio system if you must make a call.
- Set up your music or navigation system before starting your journey so you won’t be tempted to fiddle with it while driving.
- Designate a sober driver or use a ride-sharing service if you plan to consume alcohol or marijuana.
- Don’t be afraid to call out bad driver behavior if you’re a passenger. Be polite but firm.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- Justia.com. “Distracted Driving Laws: 50-State Survey.” Accessed March 2025.
- Justia.com. “DUI & DWI Laws: 50-State Survey.” Accessed March 2025.
- NHTSA.gov. “Speeding.” Accessed March 2025.
- NHTSA.gov. “Drug-impaired driving.” Accessed March 2025.
- NHTSA.gov. “Distracted driving.” Accessed March 2025.
- Vice.com. “More People Are Watching Videos on Their Phones While Driving. Often, It’s Perfectly Legal.” Accessed March 2025.
Methodology
In 2024, CarInsurance.com commissioned online marketing firm SliceMR to survey 1,851 adults aged 18 and older nationwide about their driving habits.
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