Distracted driving causes more crashes in NC than speed & alcohol combined
WRAL Investigates learned that distracted driving is the cause of more crashes in North Carolina than speed and alcohol combined.
May is tied for the deadliest month on North Carolina's roads, according to the latest numbers provided by the state's Division of Motor Vehicles. In particular, distracted driving is behind tens of thousands of crashes on N.C. roads annually.
It's something most drivers have noticed when they're behind the wheel.
"People are too eager to keep up with phones, social media, all that stuff," driver Judi Goss said, estimating it's "every five minutes" that she sees a driver using their phone.
"It just annoys me," driver Mertice Dunston added. "The focus should be driving. Whatever is going on on that phone, it may be important. You can save it for later."
The North Carolina Highway Patrol troopers have noticed the issue, too.
"I think people really don't hide it," said Sgt. Chris Knox.
The WRAL Investigates team rode along with Knox as he looked out for drivers distracted by their phones, or something else.
"A lot of times we’ve seen in the last few years that someone you might initially believe could be impaired is somebody who is actually distracted," he said. "They’re displaying a lot of the same characteristics."
Data from the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) shows distracted driving was one of the leading causes of crashes in 2022, the most recent year for which it published numbers. It was linked to roughly one in six crashes statewide, attributed more often than speed and alcohol combined.
Averaging six years, 2017 through 2022, distracted driving is blamed for about 50,000 crashes annually, according to the data.
Looking specifically at crashes involving teens, "distracted driving" was cited as the cause of nearly 9,000 crashes in 2022.
The report from the NCDMV, and Knox, said distracted driving numbers are likely under-reported.
"It really relies a lot on the driver," he said. "What you’re able to prove and what they’re willing to tell you."
Current state law bans all cell phone use, with few exceptions, for drivers under 18.
It also prohibits emailing or texting on your phone while driving, regardless of age, but does not outlaw things like scrolling social media.
Law enforcement said that makes the law difficult to enforce, as it's hard to determine what a driver was doing on their device. Some state lawmakers are hoping to change that in the upcoming legislative session.
"We’re in the process of getting our legislation filed for the short session," explained state Senator Mike Woodard, a Democrat representing Durham. "It just makes sense to make our roads safer."
More than 30 other states already have hands-free laws, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Previous legislation in N.C. has failed, but Woodard said he remains hopeful.
"This isn't a partisan issue at all," he said.
A recent poll conducted by Meredith College said 91% of respondents support a hands-free law.
For parents, Knox said it's important to model the driving behavior we want them to emulate.
"I know for me as a parent, setting that example is big for me," he said. "That he sees that I prioritize driving over a cell phone. I think those are small steps we can take as drivers and as parents."
