Texting behind the wheel puts teen lives at risk. These 13 stats reveal how distraction impacts crashes, lane control, and driver focus.
Texting while driving isn’t just risky—it’s deadly. And for teen drivers, who are still learning the rules of the road, it’s an even bigger danger. These 13 statistics paint a clear picture of how serious the issue really is. If you’re a parent, educator, or teen yourself, this breakdown will help you understand the real impact of distracted driving.
Phone use behind the wheel is more common than you think. Teens spend about 21.1% of their driving time looking at their phones. That means for every 10 minutes driving, they’re distracted for more than two.
Just a few seconds can be the difference between safety and disaster. About 26.5% of those phone glances last longer than two seconds—enough time to miss a red light or drift into another lane.
It’s not just about texting. In one recent study, 65% of teens admitted to scrolling social media or entertainment apps while driving. Texting made up 40%, and GPS use accounted for 30%.
Even when asked directly, 39% of teen drivers confessed to texting while driving. That’s nearly 4 out of 10 teens—likely underestimating the actual number.
Texting while driving doesn’t just cause close calls—it causes deaths. In 2023, distraction contributed to 34% of fatal crashes involving teen drivers.
In another national report, 7% of teen drivers in deadly crashes were confirmed to be distracted at the time—mostly by their phones.
Phone distractions aren’t rare. According to AAA, 12% of teen-caused crashes are linked directly to using a phone—whether they’re texting, talking, or checking an app.
Not all distractions are digital. Talking with passengers is a significant issue too, contributing to 15% of teen driver crashes. It’s easy to lose focus when chatting with friends.
When you look at all the data together, 25% of all teen crashes involve a phone distraction. That’s 1 in 4 teen wrecks tied to looking at or using a phone.
The numbers are clear: texting increases crash risk by 23 times. That’s like driving with your eyes closed—or under the influence.
Staying in your lane seems simple—unless you’re texting. Research shows that teens who text while driving spend 10% of their time drifting out of their lanes.
Even in states with phone bans, nearly 92% of teens say they still use their phones while driving. Laws alone aren’t solving the problem.
This isn’t just a teen issue. Distracted driving claimed 3,275 lives across all age groups in 2023. It’s a national crisis, and teens are at the front of it.
If you’re looking for a quick summary, here’s a table with the most important numbers:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Time teens look at their phone | 21.1% |
| Glances lasting 2+ seconds | 26.5% |
| Teens who admit to texting | 39% |
| Texting crash risk multiplier | 23× |
| Distracted teen fatal crash range | 7–34% |
| Total distracted driving deaths (2023) | 3,275 |
We know teen drivers have a lot to focus on already. But these numbers show just how dangerous it is to pick up the phone while driving. Talk with your teens, share this article, and help make the road a safer place for everyone.
