A phone mount can help keep a device in a consistent place, but it is not a substitute for focused driving. These figures are here to make the scale of distracted driving easier to understand and to support safer, parked-before-you-go setup habits.
Key figures for 2024
View the NHTSA report3,208
people died in distraction-affected crashes
This was 8% of all U.S. traffic fatalities reported for 2024.
NHTSA, 2024315,167
people were estimated to be injured
These injuries occurred in distraction-affected traffic crashes in 2024, representing 13% of people injured in traffic crashes.
NHTSA, 2024213,364
injury crashes were distraction-affected
NHTSA estimated these crashes made up 13% of all injury crashes reported in 2024.
NHTSA, 2024437
people died in crashes involving cellphone-related activity
NHTSA reported that at least one driver was engaged in cellphone-related activity in these 2024 fatal crashes.
NHTSA, 20246%
of drivers ages 15 to 20 in fatal crashes were reported distracted
That was the highest percentage among the age groups in NHTSA's 2024 table.
NHTSA, 2024639
people outside vehicles died in distraction-affected crashes
This includes pedestrians, pedalcyclists, and other nonoccupants in 2024.
NHTSA, 2024What these numbers cover
NHTSA defines a distraction-affected crash as one where a driver was identified as distracted at the time of the crash. Distraction can include cellphone use, but it also includes activities such as adjusting a navigation system, eating, talking to passengers, or changing vehicle controls.
The reported totals should be read carefully. Fatal-crash figures are counts, while injury figures are national estimates based on sampled police reports. NHTSA also notes that distraction can be difficult to determine after a crash, so the figures reflect what was reported and recorded.
For a practical driving setup, choose a position that leaves the road, mirrors, gauges, and controls clear. Set navigation, audio, and calls before driving, then keep your attention on the road.
Set up before you drive
Explore Windmill's compact magnetic car phone mount, or use the setup guide to check fit and placement while parked.
Sources and methodology
The statistics on this page come from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's April 2026 research note, Distracted Driving in 2024. The report uses fatal-crash records and a nationally representative sample of police-reported crashes.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Distracted Driving in 2024, April 2026
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, distracted driving overview
Cite this page
Windmill. “Car Phone and Distracted Driving Statistics.” Updated September 21, 2026. https://windmill-co.com/car-phone-distracted-driving-statistics