Pandemic-Driven Distracted Driving Surge: A Growing Threat on American Roads

Distracted Driving on the Rise Amidst Pandemic Changes

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered driving habits in the United States, leading to a startling increase in distracted driving. According to Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT), distracted driving has surged by over 30 percent from February 2020 to February 2022. Despite improvements in other risky behaviors such as speeding, which has declined as traffic returned to pre-pandemic levels, the average time drivers spent distracted per hour has reached a three-year high of 1:38 seconds in February 2022.

Evening and Late-Night Distractions Skyrocket

Evening and late-night driving has seen a dramatic increase in distracted behavior compared to pre-pandemic levels. Evening distraction has ballooned to almost 35 percent, while late-night distraction has worsened, affecting 40 percent of drivers. This trend has persisted, with the average time distracted during late-night driving standing at 1:29 seconds per hour by February 2022.

Telematics and Public Awareness: Potential Solutions

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) has highlighted the challenges in limiting distracted driving, noting that approximately 3,142 people died in distraction-related accidents in 2020. The Insurance Research Council (IRC) suggests that telematics could play a role in encouraging safer driving habits, with 45 percent of drivers making significant safety-related changes after participating in a telematics program. However, the challenge remains in sustaining these changes over the long term.

To combat this growing issue, drivers should consider enrolling in telematics programs that reward safe driving habits. Additionally, public awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement of distracted driving laws are crucial in reducing the number of accidents caused by this dangerous behavior.