Being the worst city for distracted driving is something no city would want to be known for.
But unfortunately, Houston is finding itself in the spotlight in this most undesired way.
ZenDrive, a company that analyzes driver behavior using mobile sensors, conducted a massive analysis of driver behavior in its 2018 Distracted Driving Snapshot. In all, 100 billion driving miles were analyzed.
Here are some of the most shocking findings from the study:
Distracted driving is more common than previously thought: ZenDrive found that distracted driving is much more prevalent than government data suggests. For example, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 660,000 drivers use their phones while driving every day. ZenDrive estimates that 69 million drivers use their phones while driving every day.
Houston is the most distracted city in the United States: The next most distracted cities/areas are Miami, Detroit, San Jose (California), Los Angeles (County), Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim, and Boston/Cambridge/Newton.
Texas is the 6th most distracted state: Only 5 states were rated worse than Texas: Mississippi (most distracted), followed by Rhode Island, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Connecticut. Sadly, distracted driving increased in all but one state – Vermont.
When distracted driving most often occurs: The majority of distracted driving takes place within the first five percent of a trip.
What Can Be Done About Distracted Driving?
These findings are shocking and terrifying. Distracted driving affects everyone who drives, rides as a passenger or crosses the road.
The only way to reduce the dangers of distracted driving is to stop distracted driving. Many people are falsely confident in their ability to drive safely while distracted – but no one can truly drive safely while distracted.
It’s time for drivers to put down their phones and focus on the road. There really is no other way.