Distracted driving kills 10,000 Americans annually. It's time to act.

Even small changes that can make a huge impact – saving thousands of lives and preventing hundreds of thousands of avoidable injuries.

New vehicles are frequently described as 'computers on wheels’. Although intended to enhance the driving experience, they can also create significant distractions for drivers.

Americans Demand Action

A new study from State Farm® found that distracted driving is the top roadway safety concern among U.S. licensed drivers ages 18 to 75.

Of the 1,901 drivers surveyed:

Cell phones are only one of many distractions drivers face. 

Another growing concern is in-vehicle infotainment systems and interactive displays. Many newer vehicles feature touchscreens that let drivers control music, navigation, vehicle settings, and information such as weather and traffic alerts. Nearly 70% of survey respondents said these technologies distract drivers.

Sources

Blincoe, L., Miller, T., Wang, J.-S., Swedler, D., Coughlin, T., Lawrence, B., Guo, F., Klauer, S., & Dingus, T. (2023). The economic and societal impact of motor vehicle crashes, 2019 (Revised). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Report No. DOT HS 813 403. 

Olson, R.L., Hanowski, R.J., Hickman, J.S., & Bocanegra, J. (2009). Driver Distraction in Commercial Vehicle Operations. Washington, DC: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, USDOT. Report No. FMCSA-RRR-09-042.

State Farm. (2026). National Survey on Distracted Driving Behaviors & Countermeasures. Bloomington, IL.

Making a Difference

State Farm is taking action to help prevent and mitigate driver distraction through a multi-year strategy focused on key countermeasures aligned with education, technology, and public policy, such as its support of Congressman Kevin Mullin’s legislation, H.R. 3360 — the Driver Technology and Pedestrian Safety Act of 2025, which calls for a study of in-vehicle technology to understand the risks of driver distraction and the impact on the safety of other road users; advocacy for state hands-free cell phone legislation; and the launch of the Good Neighbor Auto Safety Champion Awards, which recognize individuals and organizations that sponsor or advocate for stronger traffic safety laws.
 

The Research 

A new study completed by State Farm® found that distracted driving is the #1 roadway safety concern among U.S. licensed drivers ages 18-75. More than half of the 1,901 drivers surveyed reported distracted driving as a top concern, followed by aggressive driving (45%), alcohol-impaired driving (41%), speeding (38%), and running red lights/stop signs (28%). 

Distracted driving is a significant, widespread, and preventable issue. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 29% of all motor vehicle crashes are caused by distracted drivers – resulting in more than 10,000 fatalities, 1.3 million injuries, and 5.6 million damaged vehicles each year. It is estimated that the annual economic cost of distraction-related crashes is nearly $100 billion (Blincoe 2023). 

Of those surveyed, 

• More than 85% agreed or strongly agreed that hand-held cell phone use while driving increased driver distraction and crash risk.
• 78% felt that hands-free cell phone use is safer than hand-held cell phone use while driving.
• 81% were supportive of legislation that prohibits drivers from holding their cell phones while driving.
• 70% felt that there would be significantly or somewhat less driver distraction with hands-free cell phone laws. 

However, cell phones are just one of many distractions that drivers face behind the wheel. Another growing area of concern is in-vehicle infotainment and interactive displays. Many of today’s vehicles are equipped with touchscreens where drivers can control music, GPS navigation, certain vehicle controls, and get other information such as weather and traffic alerts. More than 69% of those surveyed indicated that these types of technologies are distracting to drivers. 

Sources 

Blincoe L, Miller T, Wang J, Swedler D, Coughlin T, Lawrence B, Guo F, Klauer S, Dingus T. February 2023. The economic and societal impact of motor vehicle crashes, 2019 (Revised). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Report No. DOT HS 813 403. 

State Farm. February 2026. National Survey on Distracted Driving Behaviors & Countermeasures.

State Farm conducted an online survey of parents to gauge car seat safety behavior and knowledge. One of the more eye-opening findings, less than half of parents (44 percent) surveyed kept their child rear-facing until two years of age or longer.

“In a crash, rear-facing seats better support the head, neck and spine of infants than forward-facing seats,” shared Chris Mullen, Director of the Technology Research Division at State Farm. “Correctly secured in their car seats, children are much more likely to avoid serious injuries.”

Also troubling, less than a quarter of parents took advantage of a free resource provided by Safe Kids Worldwide certified community-based experts. Only 23 percent of parents had a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) check their car seat installation and usage.

Michele Ice, an Atlanta-area firefighter, attended a car seat check nearly 18 years ago with her ten-month old, Brooke. The car seat tech found several installation mistakes. Weeks later, mother and daughter were in a car crash. Brooke Ice was unscathed thanks to the proper car seat installation. Michele Ice was left in a coma. After months of rehabilitation, she eventually recovered.

“It was embarrassing to find out that I had it installed all wrong. But those 45 minutes of the car seat check saved my daughter’s life,” Michele Ice said.

Two-thirds of parents (68 percent) did not anchor the top tether of the forward-facing car seat to the back of the vehicle seat. More men (39 percent) did anchor than women (25 percent).

“Without the top tether, in the event of a crash, the seat could move forward several inches, putting the child at greater risk of serious injuries,” Mullen stated.

Michele Ice is now a CPST Instructor herself and often sees other parents making common mistakes; especially not using the top tether for forward-facing seats.

“It can save a life! It's up to us as parents and caregivers to research, educate and protect our precious cargo in our motor vehicles,” shared Michele Ice.

Additional stats from the survey (full report):

• Nearly a quarter of parents (23 percent) moved their child out of a booster seat because they felt the child was big enough.
  • Only one-third of parents checked safety websites (e.g. Safe Kids, State Farm) to be certain it was time to move their child out of a booster seat.
• Only 32 percent of parents removed bulky clothes like winter coats before buckling (24 percent men vs. 40 percent women).
  • Bulky clothing will not allow the parent to get the harness tight enough.
• Two out of three parents did not register their car seat with the manufacturer.
  • Without registration, they would not receive notifications of recalls.
• Less than half of parents knew car seats have expiration dates.
  • Car seats, like many products, degrade over time and will no longer protect the child as intended.
• Ten percent of parents bought or used a second-hand car seat. For parents under 35, the number was even higher. One in five younger parents used or bought a second-hand car seat.
  • With a second-hand seat, you may not know the seat’s history (whether it has been in a crash, has expired or was registered).

Car seat safety has come a long way but there’s room to improve

In 1997, the number one killer of children up to four years old was motor vehicle crashes. In 2017, that is no longer the case. Child occupant (ages zero to four) deaths have been reduced by 15 percent. Motor vehicle crashes are still a leading cause, but no longer the leading cause.

A major reason for the improvement? Twenty years ago, State Farm joined forces with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia® (CHOP) and the University of Pennsylvania to create Partners for Child Passenger Safety (PCPS).

State Farm and CHOP identified more than 600,000 crashes involving 875,000 children under age 16. It was the largest source of data ever collected on children involved in motor vehicles crashes.

“The data supported legislative measures that has saved thousands of children’s lives and reduced the severity of injuries for tens of thousands of children,” shared Dennis Durbin, AVP and Chief Clinical Research Officer at CHOP who was Co-Principal Investigator of PCPS. “It was a remarkable win for public health.”

“As we celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Partners for Child Passenger Safety, it’s important to look at the accomplishments. At State Farm, we are immensely proud of PCPS and its results. Children have been saved,” shared Mullen. “But during Child Passenger Safety Week and every other day of the year, we cannot lose sight of the fact that we can still do more for our children. Studies have found car seat misuse at 72 percent. This survey reflects that data and drives home the point - we need more car seat safety education and awareness.”

About the survey:

In August 2017, State Farm Strategic Resources Department conducted an online survey of U.S. consumers ages 18 and over. Survey responses were received from 193 parents (93 men and 100 women) who reported that they “have children under the age of 13." The full report is available.