Traffic Safety Facts: Distracted Driving in Fatal Crashes 2017
There were 2,935 fatal crashes that occurred on U.S. roadways in 2017 that involved distraction (9% of all fatal crashes). These crashes involved 2,994 distracted drivers, since some crashes involved more than one distracted driver. Distraction was reported for 6 percent (2,994 of 52,274) of the drivers involved in fatal crashes. In these distraction-affected crashes, 3,166 fatalities (9% of overall fatalities) occurred.
- Nine percent of fatal crashes in 2017 were reported as distraction-affected crashes.
- In 2017 there were 3,166 people killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.
- Six percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes. Eight percent of drivers 15 to 19 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted at the time of the fatal crashes.
- In 2017 there were 599 no occupants (pedestrians, bicyclists, and others) killed in distraction-affected crashes.