Statistics show increase in number of distracted drivers

April 23, 2013

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently published the results of its 2011 National Occupant Protection Use Survey, an annual survey regarding the use of electronic devices by drivers. Unfortunately, even though safety advocates, government officials and legislators have spoken out about the dangers of distracted driving in recent years, NOPUS results indicate that the number of drivers observed texting or otherwise using electronic devices while behind the wheel has continued to rise. This sort of behavior poses a significant danger and is now a leading cause of car accidents in the U.S.

Survey findings

From 2010 to 2011, the percentage of people observed manipulating hand-held electronic devices while driving increased from 0.9 percent to 1.3 percent. According to NOPUS data, the visible hand-held use of electronic devices increased from previous years among the following groups:
- Women drivers
- Urban drivers
- SUV, van and passenger vehicle drivers

The visible use of electronic devices while behind the wheel was markedly higher among drivers between the ages of 16 and 24. The percentage of younger drivers observed using electronic devices increased from 1.5 percent in 2010 to 3.1 percent in 2011.

The incidence of visible hand-held cell phone use - that is, observed instances of drivers holding phones to their ears while driving - remained steady from previous years at five percent. This may seem low at first glance, but it means that at any given daylight moment in the U.S., a total of 660,000 people were speaking on their cell phones while driving. The rate of cell phone use while behind the wheel was higher among women and those between the ages of 16 and 24.

In the NHTSA's view, the observed increases in both visible manipulation of electronic devices and hand-held cell phone use are statistically significant.

Survey Methodology

What makes the NOPUS data particularly important is that it is the only nationwide probability based observational survey of its kind. Unlike other surveys, which may use self reported information, NOPUS data is collected as it actually occurs. Specially trained data collectors are stationed at randomly selected intersections across the country, where they observe the behavior of drivers as they stop. Data collectors work from 7:00am to 6:00pm and record their observations about the drivers of passenger vehicles that have neither commercial nor government markings. Though the collection of NOPUS data may be problematic in some ways, experts believe it provides the best opportunity to learn about actual driver behavior.

Article provided by Law Office of Daniel W. Dunbar
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