There have never been so many ways to be distracted on the roadways, which is why distracted driving accidents are on the rise. The NHTSA defines distracted driving as any activity that causes a driver to take their attention away from driving, whether it’s manual, visual, or cognitive. Distracted driving is one of the primary causes of car accidents in Florida and the US, contributing to thousands of accidents every year. Below, we shed some light on distracted driving accidents and their causes, according to state and national statistics.
Injured in a distracted driving accident? Contact the Law Office of Brett M. Bressler for a free consultation to discuss your case.
How Common are Distracted Driving Accidents in Florida?
According to FLHSMV, more than one accident occurs every minute in Florida. Of these accidents, one in seven is caused by distracted driving. In addition, 8% of these distracted driving accidents result in fatalities. However, distracted driving accidents are often underreported, as distracted driving isn’t always listed as the primary cause of the accident. Texting while driving is the most common form of distracted driving, cited in 6,629 Florida accidents in 2023. Accidents are highly prevalent throughout Central Florida. Orange County ranked third in the state for the total number of car accidents.
Causes of Distracted Driving
According to the National Safety Council, drivers admit to being distracted more than half of their time behind the wheel. In addition to being generally inattentive while driving, here are the top causes of distracted driving accidents:
General Phone Use
Since the average person checks their phone over 58 times each day, it’s likely some of these times are while driving. The National Safety Council reported that 40% of distracted drivers admitted using a non-texting app on their phone while driving. When it comes to talking on the phone, 60% admitted to talking while driving, although it wasn’t specified whether these drivers utilized a legal, hands-free device to make calls. Another 22% admitted to taking a photo or recording a video while driving. FLHSMV estimates that general phone use was involved in over 7,400 Florida accidents in 2024.
Texting While Driving
Texting while driving is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving. Texting while driving severely impacts reaction time and hinders driving capabilities. Texting while driving can have the same cognitive effects as having four beers in one hour. The NSC estimates that 47% of distracted drivers text while driving, whether it’s sending or receiving texts or pictures. In Florida, texting while driving has contributed to 184 accidents already this year.
Drowsiness
Driving while drowsy is a dangerous form of distracted driving that can cause serious accidents and injuries. Like texting, being tired behind the wheel can have the same cognitive effects as being intoxicated. OSHA estimates that staying awake for 17 consecutive hours is the equivalent of having a .05 Blood Alcohol Level (BAC). If you stay awake for more than 24 hours, it’s the equivalent of having a BAC of .10 (which is 1.25 times over the legal limit). While overwork and general exhaustion are the primary causes of driving while drowsy, certain medications may also make you tired behind the wheel. This is why it’s essential to know how your body reacts to medications before driving.
GPS
While using GPS is legal while driving in Florida and is one of the exemptions listed in Florida’s Ban on Texting While Driving, it still contributes to accidents. Nationally, 60% of drivers report using GPS while driving. The NHTSA estimates that using GPS contributes to 200,000 car accidents each year.
Distracted Driving Fatalities and Injuries
Distracted driving accidents caused 29,010 injuries last year. Over 2,000 of these injuries were severe and permanently incapacitating. Distracted driving was the cause of 8% of accident fatalities in the US last year. Distracted driving has caused 294 deaths in Florida so far in 2025.
Distracted Driving by Age
Teens, young adults, and elderly drivers are the most likely age groups to get into an accident. Drivers between 25 and 34 are the most dangerous distracted drivers, being involved in about 25% of fatal distracted driving accidents. Gen Zers and Millennials are involved in 72% of all distracted driving violations.
Brett M. Bressler: Distracted Driving Accident Attorney in Florida
Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous causes of car accidents in Florida and the US. If you’ve been injured in a distracted driving accident in Central Florida, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Law Office of Brett M. Bressler at 407-599-2002 or schedule an appointment online for a consultation to discuss how we can help you recover your out-of-pocket medical and accident-related expenses.
