April: Distracted Driving Awareness Month

85% of americans believe distracted driving is as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol.

April has been designated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a road safety issue that continues to claim thousands of lives each year. As part of this campaign, Verra Mobility, a provider of smart mobility technology solutions, has released the results of a national survey on the behavior of American drivers.

The survey, conducted with 2,000 adults who drive several times a week, revealed that 85% believe distracted driving is as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. Additionally, participants reported frequently witnessing risky behaviors on the road, such as:

Speeding – 89%
Running red lights – 67%
Other drivers using their phones while driving – 65%
Speeding in school zones – 60%

Drivers Don’t Recognize Their Own Dangerous Behavior

Despite these high numbers, many of the drivers surveyed do not recognize these behaviors in themselves. For example, 65% claimed they “never” drove distracted in the past year, and 74% said they did not use their phones while driving during that same period. Additionally, 49% said they obey speed limits, while 45% admitted to slightly exceeding them (by 5 to 10 miles per hour).

These figures contrast with other research, such as that from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, which indicates that 87% of drivers engage in unsafe behaviors. Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported over 3,000 deaths and more than 400,000 injuries related to distracted driving in 2024 alone. According to the National Safety Council, distracted driving takes the lives of nine people every day in the U.S.

“The main takeaway from this survey is that Americans acknowledge the dangers of distracted driving, but don’t always apply that awareness to themselves,” said Jon Baldwin, Executive Vice President of Government Solutions at Verra Mobility. “Being aware of our own actions is key to improving road safety.”

What Solutions Are Supported?

63% of Americans believe the average driver has gotten worse in recent years, and 78% think drivers in their own state are reckless. As for solutions, 59% of respondents support the use of technology to enforce traffic laws, such as automated enforcement systems. Support is even higher in contexts involving children: 77% back these technologies in school zones, and 96% support their use on school buses.

Distracted driving is a shared responsibility, and recognizing its seriousness—not only in others, but also in ourselves—is the first step toward making streets and highways safer for everyone.