CA Drivers More Likely To Be In Fatal Crash Involving Cellphone Than Most U.S. Motorists

CALIFORNIA — Cellphones are more frequently a factor in fatal crashes in California than in most U.S. states, according to a recent study.

Personal injury law firm Anidjar & Levine used National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data to determine the percentage of drivers involved in fatal crashes where a cellphone was the distraction between 2018 and 2022.

The Golden State was ranked sixth on the list, with 17.2 percent of distracted drivers — or 187 out of 1,089 — in a fatal crash being distracted by their cellphone. Mississippi was fifth with 18.8 percent and Iowa was seventh at 17.1 percent.

The top three states were Montana at 25.8 percent, North Dakota at 22.5 percent and Wyoming at 21.8 percent.

“This data is an important insight into road safety and the danger of being distracted while driving,” a spokesperson for Anidjar & Levine said in a news release about the findings. “Cell phones are a dangerous distraction for drivers that can lead to fatal crashes. Even just simply changing a song or readjusting your map on your mobile puts yourself and others on the road at risk.

“It is crucial for drivers to not use their cell phone at the wheel and to be cautious of other drivers who may be distracted. Instead, using a built-in GPS or ‘hands-free’ system in your vehicle can minimise distraction, or alternatively, completely ignore your cell device until your journey is complete."