According to a new Verra Mobility study released for Distracted Driving Awareness Month, 85% of Americans believe distracted driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. That stat alone should give anyone pause. But here’s the kicker: while most drivers say they see reckless behavior on the road all the time, far fewer are willing to admit they’ve done it themselves.
So what did the numbers really show, and what should they mean for everyday drivers like us?
Americans Know What Dangerous Driving Looks Like…
Verra Mobility surveyed 2,000 frequent drivers across the U.S. The vast majority say they’re noticing bad behavior regularly:
- 89% say they see speeding at least a few times per week
- 67% report seeing someone run a red light at least once a month
- 65% have spotted drivers using their phones while behind the wheel
- 60% have witnessed someone speeding in a school zone
And overall, 63% of respondents believe the average driver has gotten worse in recent years.
These observations line up with national data. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving led to more than 3,000 deaths in 2024. That’s not just a statistic—it’s thousands of families impacted by something as preventable as checking a text message.
…But Most Don’t Think They’re Part of the Problem
Here’s where things get interesting. When asked about their own driving, people painted a much rosier picture.
- 65% say they’ve never driven distracted in the past year
- 74% claim they haven’t used their phone behind the wheel
- 85% say they’ve never sped in a school zone
It’s a bit of a reality check. We may see ourselves as safe and alert, but the numbers suggest we’re often not as careful as we think.
But here’s the disconnect: AAA has found that 87% of U.S. drivers engage in unsafe behaviors behind the wheel. And according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving was responsible for more than 3,000 deaths and over 400,000 injuries in 2022 alone. So, while we’re pretty quick to notice risky behavior in others (like speeding or phone use), we’re not always as honest about our own habits.
Most Americans Support Tech to Make Roads Safer
Despite the disconnect between what people see and what they report doing, one thing is clear: most Americans want safer streets, especially when kids are involved.
- 59% support automated enforcement to curb dangerous driving
- 77% support it for school zones
- A whopping 96% support it for school buses
These tech-enabled tools, like speed cameras and red-light enforcement, aren’t just about catching bad behavior — they’re designed to reduce it. And they’re shown to work, especially in school zones and high-risk areas.
Jon Baldwin, EVP of Government Solutions at Verra Mobility, summed it up this way: “I believe that the average American is a good driver and cares about safety… being self-aware is key to making our roads safer so that everyone takes responsibility for their own driving behavior.”
What This Means for Drivers
If you’re reading this and thinking, “Yeah, I’ve seen bad drivers,” maybe it’s also a good moment to ask: How often am I fully focused when I’m behind the wheel?
The next time your phone buzzes, or a shortcut tempts you to speed through a yellow light, take a beat. Our streets — and the lives on them — deserve your full attention.