In a digital world, it often feels like we’re glued to our smartphones. But there’s no place for distraction behind the wheel. To mark Distracted Driving Awareness Month, AAA Northeast is urging drivers to put away their phones and help save lives.
In 2023, 3,275 people nationwide were killed in traffic crashes involving a distracted driver, according to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While the number of fatalities decreased slightly, by 1% from 2022, the number of people injured in distracted driving crashes increased by 12% between 2022 and 2023, from 289,310 to 324,819.
NHTSA reports that cellphone use is the most prevalent form of distraction. The dangers of texting are especially alarming: Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.
AAA research shows that nearly all drivers surveyed in a recent study perceive texting, emailing, reading and scrolling through social media on a cellphone as dangerous. However, many respondents still engaged in the following behaviors in the previous 30 days:
- 37% — reading a text or email.
- 36% — holding and talking on a cellphone.
- 28% — typing or sending a text or email.
- 11% — scrolling through social media.
For teen drivers, AAA research has found that talking or attending to other passengers in the vehicle is also a top contributor to crashes.
“Distracted driving continues to impact the lives of far too many people,” said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast. “Any activity that takes your eyes off the road is a potential distraction and increases your risk of a crash. As the weather warms up, it’s especially critical for drivers to stay alert with more pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcycle riders sharing the road.”
AAA offers the following tips to keep drivers alert:
- Avoid texting, emailing or scrolling through social media while driving. Put your cellphone on do not disturb or place it in the glove box, back seat or trunk of your vehicle until you arrive at your destination.
- Pull over and park in a safe location if you need to send a text or otherwise use your phone immediately.
- Ask a passenger to be the “designated texter” to respond to calls or messages during the drive.
- Avoid other forms of distraction while driving, including eating, drinking and putting on makeup. Keep your hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road at all times.
- Call out your driver if they’re texting or otherwise distracted. Remind them it’s unsafe and encourage them to focus on the road.
State-specific data:
In Connecticut, from 2021 to 2025, there were more than 26,000 crashes involving a distracted driver, according to the Connecticut Crash Data Repository. Over 7,800 of the crashes resulted in injuries and 48 were fatal.
In Massachusetts, from 2021 to 2025, there were nearly 46,000 crashes involving at least one distracted driver, according to the Massachusetts IMPACT crash data portal. More than 13,000 of those crashes resulted in injuries and 85 were fatal.
In New York, from 2021 to 2025, there were more than 300,000 crashes involving a distracted driver, according to the New York Traffic Safety Statistical Repository. More than 109,000 of those crashes resulted in injuries and over 540 were fatal.
In New Jersey, from 2021 to 2025, there were more than 540,000 crashes involving a distracted driver, according to Numetric. More than 120,000 resulted in injuries and over 900 were fatal.
Last updated on April 1, 2026 by AAA Staff
Based in Rhode Island, Jillian Young is AAA Northeast’s director of public relations. She regularly appears in local TV, radio and print media to discuss traffic safety, travel, insurance and more.
