Distraction impairs drivers of all ages: A cross-sectional analysis of fatal crashes in the United States

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the association between distracted driving and crash responsibility across the whole age span after adjusting for several driver characteristics and the potential influence of alcohol and drugs. Methods: Using data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System for the years 2010 to 2019, we estimated the association between distracted driving and crash responsibility in drivers (of passenger-type vehicles) aged 20 and older, with a confirmed blood alcohol concentration of zero, and who tested negative for drugs (n = 33,513). We operationalized crash responsibility as having one or more unsafe driving action (UDA) recorded. Results: In total, slightly under 9% of the drivers examined were coded as distracted. The most common UDA among distracted drivers was a failure to yield right of way (23.4% vs. 14.2% for non-distracted drivers). Driving distracted was associated with higher odds of an UDA for drivers of all ages (overall OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.24, 1.73). Conclusions: Distracted driving affects drivers of all ages. Given that distracted driving is highly preventable, we must increase our prevention efforts.