Which States Have the Most Distracted Driving Accidents in 2025?

Distracted driving remains a critical concern on U.S. roads, contributing to thousands of fatalities annually. In 2025, certain states have reported higher rates of accidents attributed to driver distractions, particularly those involving mobile device usage.

You may be wondering: Which states have the most distracted driving accidents in 2025?

New Mexico leads the nation with the highest percentage of traffic fatalities involving distracted driving, followed by Kansas, Louisiana, and New Jersey.

According to recent data, New Mexico has the highest percentage of traffic crash deaths caused by distracted drivers at 40% . This is significantly higher than the national average of 7.78%. Other states with elevated distracted driving fatality rates include Kansas and Louisiana

At Mattiacci Law, we understand how devastating distracted driving accidents can be. This guide reviews the latest statistics, explores causes, identifies high-risk groups, and highlights prevention efforts — offering a full 2025 snapshot of the dangers posed by distracted driving.

 

 

How Common Are Distracted Driving Accidents in 2025

Distracted driving remains alarmingly prevalent.
According to early 2025 NHTSA estimates, 3,240 people died in distraction-related crashes, accounting for 8% of all U.S. traffic fatalities.

While overall road deaths decreased slightly from 2024, distraction-linked deaths remained stubbornly high. The most common distractions include:

• Using a phone (texting, calling, browsing)
• Adjusting navigation or entertainment systems
• Eating and drinking
• Reaching for objects
• Personal grooming

Research from the National Safety Council (NSC) shows drivers are distracted 52% of the time behind the wheel, significantly increasing crash risk.

Key takeaway: Despite public awareness campaigns, distracted driving remains one of America’s most persistent traffic threats.

 

Key 2025 Distracted Driving Statistics

Statistic	Data
Total U.S. traffic fatalities (2025 est.)	~40,500
Distracted driving fatalities (2025 est.)	~3,240
Percentage of total deaths linked to distraction	8%
Most common distraction	Cell phone use
Teen drivers crash risk compared to adults	3x higher
Top 3 states for distracted driving deaths	Texas, California, Florida

 

Description: Table showing key 2025 distracted driving statistics and national trends.

 

Distracted Driving Fatalities 2023 to 2025 Comparison

Year	Distracted Driving Fatalities	Percent of All Traffic Deaths
2023	3,275	8.1%
2024	3,265	8.1%
2025 (Projected)	3,240	8.0%

 

Description: Table comparing distracted driving fatalities over the past three years.

Trend: While total fatalities have decreased slightly, distracted driving’s share of overall deaths has remained constant.

 

Top 10 States with the Highest Distracted Driving Fatality Rates

Based on recent data, the following states have the highest percentages of traffic fatalities involving distracted driving:

Rank	State	Distracted Driving Fatalities (%)
1	New Mexico	39.86%
2	New Jersey	26.48%
3	Kansas	24.18%
4	Louisiana	16.90%
5	Kentucky	17.46%
6	Hawaii	20.72%
7	Idaho	15.46%
8	Texas	11.09%
9	Washington	13.46%
10	Wyoming	8.47%

 

Source: Zutobi Distracted Driving Report

New Mexico leads with nearly 40% of its traffic fatalities linked to distracted driving, significantly higher than the national average. Factors contributing to these high rates include varying state laws, enforcement levels, and public awareness campaigns.

 

What Are the Leading Causes of Distracted Driving

While cell phones are the primary culprit, distracted driving stems from a range of risky behaviors:

Distraction Type	Description
Texting and emailing	Diverts visual, manual, and cognitive attention
Social media browsing	Highly engaging and persistent distraction
Adjusting music or navigation	Causes drivers to look away from the road
Eating and drinking	Manual distraction leading to slower reactions
Interacting with passengers	Common among teens and young adults

Insight: Any action that pulls your eyes, hands, or mind off the driving task greatly increases crash risk.

 

Factors Contributing to High Distracted Driving Rates

Several elements influence the prevalence of distracted driving incidents in these states:

• Legislation and Enforcement: States with less stringent laws or lax enforcement may see higher rates of distracted driving. For instance, while many states have enacted bans on texting while driving, the enforcement intensity varies.
• Public Awareness: The effectiveness of public education campaigns plays a role. States investing in comprehensive awareness programs tend to report lower incidents.
• Technology Usage: The proliferation of smartphones and in-car infotainment systems has increased potential distractions. States with higher tech adoption rates may experience more related incidents.

 

How Has Distracted Driving Changed in 2025?

Distracted driving remains a top cause of car accidents nationwide

In 2025, distracted driving contributed to approximately 8% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes, with cell phones leading as the most common cause of distraction.

 

 

How Technology Is Changing Distracted Driving Behavior

New technology plays a double-edged role.

Problematic trends:

• Larger, more complex infotainment screens increase visual distraction.
• App-based navigation and music selection demand driver attention.
• Voice command systems can create cognitive overload.

Positive solutions:

• Apps like DriveMode and Apple Focus automatically block incoming notifications while driving.
• New cars now offer “driver monitoring systems” using AI to detect and warn about distracted behavior.

Automakers and tech companies are facing growing pressure from regulators to include more distraction-prevention features in future vehicles.

How Cell Phone Use Impacts Car Accidents in 2025

Cell phone use while driving continues to be the leading cause of distracted driving crashes.
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reports that handheld phone use while driving rose 2% from 2024 to 2025.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS):

• Drivers texting are 23 times more likely to crash than undistracted drivers.
• Even hands-free phone use quadruples accident risk by diverting cognitive attention from the road.

Video streaming, app navigation, and social media use while driving have increased markedly, particularly among drivers aged 18–34.

How Age Affects Distracted Driving Risk

Teens and young adults face the highest risk of distracted driving crashes.
CDC Youth Risk Behavior data shows:

• 42% of high school students admit to texting or emailing while driving.
• Drivers aged 16–19 are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal distracted driving crash compared to drivers over 20.

Adults aged 30–49 are also increasingly distracted, often by work-related communications and app navigation while commuting.

Older drivers (65+) generally report lower distraction rates, but suffer more severe injuries when distraction-related crashes occur.

Fact: Distraction affects drivers of all ages, but teens and young adults remain the highest risk group.

 

How Distracted Driving Laws and Enforcement Are Evolving

As of 2025:

• 31 states have banned handheld phone use while driving.
• 48 states ban texting while driving for all drivers.
• 22 states allow primary enforcement, meaning police can stop drivers solely for using a phone.

Successful policy examples include:

• Oregon, where handheld bans plus aggressive enforcement reduced distracted driving deaths by 12% between 2023–2025.
• New York, which expanded penalties for school zone phone use, leading to an 8% reduction in related fatalities.

However, gaps remain in states without handheld bans, like Montana, where distracted driving fatalities remain elevated.

 

Future Predictions for Distracted Driving Fatalities

Experts at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) project:

• Distracted driving fatalities could plateau without stricter laws, technology fixes, and public awareness.
• Without change, distracted driving could account for 10% of all road deaths by 2030.

Recommended strategies for change include:

• Mandatory phone disabling technology while a vehicle is in motion.
• Stricter employer policies for commercial drivers.
• Expanded public campaigns focused on behavioral change, particularly targeting young drivers.

 

Measures to Combat Distracted Driving

To address the rising concerns, various strategies are being implemented:

• Enhanced Legislation: Some states are moving towards stricter laws, including hands-free mandates and higher penalties for violations.
• Public Education Campaigns: Initiatives like “Put the Phone Away or Pay” aim to educate drivers about the dangers of distracted driving according to NHTSA.
• Technology Solutions: Advancements such as apps that disable phone functions while driving and in-car systems that monitor driver attention are being promoted.

 

Get Help From a Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been injured in a distracted driving accident, you deserve justice.
At Mattiacci Law, our attorneys have decades of experience holding distracted drivers accountable and helping injured victims recover maximum compensation.

Call us today at 215-914-6919 for a free consultation.
Let us fight for your rights and your future.