Distracted Driving Still Deadly: Auto Club Calls on Drivers to Put the Phone Down

Editors Note: B-roll of distracted drivers and distracted driving crashes is available for your use here.

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Automobile Club of Southern California is urging drivers to eliminate distractions behind the wheel as thousands of lives continue to be lost each year to preventable crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,275 people were killed and more than 324,000 were injured in distracted-driving crashes in 2023-an average of nine deaths and nearly 900 injuries every day. Safety experts say even a brief lapse in attention can have fatal consequences.

"Driving safely requires your full attention," said Auto Club Senior Public Affairs Specialist Kandace Redd. "Every time a driver looks away from the road, the risk of a serious crash increases. National Distracted Driving Awareness Month reminds us that safe driving is about more than following the rules. It is about making a conscious choice to focus on the road and protect lives."

Why Distracted Driving Is So Dangerous

Distracted driving includes any activity that diverts attention from driving, such as:

• Texting or talking on a phone
• Scrolling social media
• Eating or drinking
• Adjusting music, GPS, or vehicle controls

Texting remains one of the most dangerous distractions. Reading or sending a text takes a driver's eyes off the road for about five seconds-the equivalent of traveling the length of a football field blindfolded at 55 mph.

Drivers Know the Risk-But Many Still Take It

Despite widespread awareness, risky behavior remains common. The latest AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Culture Index found that nearly all drivers consider distracted driving extremely or very dangerous:

• 97% say scrolling on social media is dangerous
• 94% say texting or emailing is dangerous
• 90% say reading on a handheld phone is dangerous

Yet many admitted doing it anyway:

• 28% said they texted while driving
• 37% said they read messages
• 36% said they talked on a handheld phone

California Focus

Distracted driving remains a major concern across California. A 2025 California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) survey found 71% of residents identify texting while driving as a top traffic safety concern. In 2023, 158 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver. California law bans handheld phone use while driving and prohibits texting at all times-even when stopped at a red light. Violations can carry fines and points on a driver's record.

"A single moment of distraction can change a life forever," OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty said. "Your focus and attention while driving is one of the most powerful safety actions you can take. Silence the distractions and make reaching your destination safely a priority so no more families, friends and communities experience the heartbreak of a loved one killed or seriously injured in a crash."

Students Help Drive the Message Home

With the highest percentage of drivers ages 15-20 reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes, high school students are using their creative talents to take action. Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE)-a Los Angeles-based nonprofit-recently hosted its Streets, Art, SAFE Awards Ceremony at Los Angeles Center Studios, with the Auto Club as presenting sponsor. High school students from several states, including California, created traffic-safety PSAs and posters, with the winning PSA submission set to air in a statewide OTS and Caltrans distracted driving paid media campaign this April. The winning posters with distracted driving related messages will also be displayed at more than 350 high schools across the state.

Auto Club Tips to Eliminate Distractions

The Auto Club encourages drivers to:

• Put phones away or activate "Do Not Disturb While Driving"
• Set GPS and vehicle controls before traveling
• Avoid eating or multitasking while driving
• Secure loose items, children, and pets
• Pull over safely if attention is needed elsewhere

Bottom line: One moment of distraction can be deadly. This April-and every day-the Auto Club urges drivers to stay alert, stay focused, and help save lives.