Distracted driving is often framed as a split-second mistake, but for many drivers, it is part of their normal routine. From texting a friend to reaching for a drink, many things distract Americans each time they sit behind the wheel.
As Lemon Law Experts, we know how important it is for drivers to feel safe and confident in their vehicle, but even the safest car can’t protect drivers from every risk when distractions take their attention away from the road. That’s why we set out to learn where Americans are most commonly distracted while driving and what is stealing their focus.
To do this, we surveyed residents in each state and asked about their driving habits. This included how often they are distracted, what types of distractions they give into, how they’ve tried to improve these habits, and more.
In addition to responses from our survey, we also collected the number of fatalities related to distracted driving per billion miles driven by state from and the drivers’ average phone motion per hour by state.
Using these three metrics, we calculated a distracted driving score on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 representing the most distracted drivers. Read on to learn which state’s drivers are most and least focused on the roads.
Key Takeaways
- Louisiana and Kansas are home to the most distracted drivers in the U.S.
- Reaching for something and eating or drinking are the top two things distracting Americans while driving.
- Distracted driving is common: A third of Americans say they do it frequently.
- 67% of Americans admit they use their phone at stoplights.
- 1 in 3 Americans use their phone while driving because they said it’s compulsive and they can’t help it.
- 2 in 5 Americans have had a close call due to being distracted while driving.
- Nearly a third of Americans have been in an accident where distracted driving played a role.
- 80% of Americans have tried to reduce or stop their distracted driving habits.
Where Americans Are Most Distracted Behind the Wheel
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 3,200 people were killed in 2024 as a result of distracted driving. Overall in the U.S., 18 people are injured every half hour in distracted driving crashes, and one person is killed about every 2.5 hours.
Despite the dangers of losing focus behind the wheel, many Americans are still guilty of it as a third of people admit to frequently driving while distracted. The good news, however, is that 80% of people report they have tried to reduce or stop the habit.
Leading the way with the most distracted drivers in the country is Louisiana with a distracted driver score of 94.39 out of 100. Contributing to this score are the 3.25 fatalities related to distracted driving per billion miles driven in the state, which is the second highest in the country behind New Mexico (5.45).
Coming in second place for distracted driving is Kansas with a score of 84.73 out of 100. When it comes to specific distracted behaviors, Kansas residents are the most likely to turn their attention away from the road to read or respond to work emails or messaging (35%).
In third place with a distracted driver score of 80.59 out of 100 is North Carolina. Overall, drivers in this state were the most likely to struggle disconnecting from the internet as we found North Carolinians are the most likely to browse online (19%) and read online (13%) while driving.
Following closely behind are Mississippi (78.79) in fourth place and Alabama (75.63) in fifth place. When averaging scores by region, we discovered it was southern states that had the most distracted drivers with an average score of 61.69. Coming in second place by region is the Midwest (44.91), followed by the West (41.44) and Northeast (35.69) in third and fourth place, respectively.
The Habits That Pull Drivers’ Attention Away from the Road
After learning where Americans are allowing distractions to pull their attention away from the road, we wanted to learn what is causing these distractions to begin with.
Topping the list with 70% of people reporting it, is reaching for something while driving. This is followed by eating or drinking, which 68% of people say they’ve done while driving.
Coming in third place is adjusting car controls (67%) like adjusting the temperature. For many people, listening to music or a podcast helps keep them entertained while on the road.
While some make sure to select their playlist before putting their car in drive, 66% admit to losing focus as they search for something to listen to while driving.
When driving, it is common for people to use their GPS to guide them to their destination. While relying solely on audio commands for directions can ensure safe travels, 64% of people say they’re guilty of looking at the screen or adjusting their route while behind the wheel.
One of the biggest culprits of distracting driving are smartphones. With games, social media, and more at our fingertips at all times, it can be difficult to disconnect, even when driving.
Overall, we found that 67% of Americans admit to using their phone while at a stoplight. Similarly, 61% are guilty of using their phone while in slow-moving traffic or traffic jams.
To wrap up our study, we wanted to gain insight into the reasons Americans use their phones while driving. Up first as the most common reason is checking directions or navigation, which 86% of people report.
While taking the wrong turn or forgetting which exit to take can feel like an urgent situation, taking your eyes off the road for even a minute to look at your phone could result in an accident.
Coming in second place is responding to urgent messages (70%). Once again, while it may feel crucial if you don’t handle an urgent message right away, it’s safer for everyone if you pull over to respond, rather than texting while driving.
This is followed by work-related communication (39%) in third place. Although most people typically associate phone use while driving as a response to a stimulus like a missed exit, urgent message, or work text, 37% of Americans say they use their phones while driving simply because they’re bored, which puts it in fourth place as the most common reasons Americans check their phones while driving.
For some people, phone usage behind the wheel is compulsive and 1 in 3 say they can’t help it. Finally, for more than 1 in 6 people, the need to check their phone while driving stems from their desire to stay socially connected.
Avoid All Distractions Behind the Wheel
Staying focused behind the wheel begins with driver behavior, but it also depends on confidence in the vehicle itself. When drivers are worried about strange noises, warning lights, and repeat repairs, their attention may be split before they even leave the driveway.
As Lemon Law Experts, we work with drivers all across the country who are facing constant repeat car repairs. With our team of acclaimed lawyers, we help those with problem vehicles to get the compensation they deserve so that they can get back to focusing on what’s important.
If you think your car might qualify as a lemon, contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn more about how our team can help you.
Methodology
In this study, we set out to learn where Americans are most distracted behind the wheel. To do this, we surveyed residents by state and asked a variety of questions including which things you do while driving that distract you, how frequently are you distracted, have you tried to stop these habits, and more.
We then awarded points to responses that represented distracted driving and calculated an average total by state.
Then, using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool, we calculated the number of fatalities related to distracted driving per billion miles driven by state from 2020 to 2024.
Next, we collected the average phone motion per hour while driving by state from the Cambridge Mobile Telematics 2023 report. Using these three datasets, we calculated the total score by state averaging totals on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 representing the most distracted drivers.
