Distracted driving contributes to uptick in fatalities, regulators say

The numbers are positively sobering, and scary: in a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this week, data shows that 3,522 people were killed in fatal crashes in 2021 that involved at least one distracted driver.

Overall, the report shows, 42,939 people died in vehicle traffic crashes on U.S. roadways during 2021 — the largest number of fatalities since 2005 and an increase of more than 10 percent from the previous year. Specifically, from 2020 to 2021, speeding-related fatalities increased by 7.9 percent, alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities by 14 percent, and unbelted deaths rose by 8.1 percent.

The number of pedestrians killed rose 13 percent, NHTSA said, and cyclist fatalities were up two percent  for the year. The agency said that it will release preliminary 2022 traffic death data in the coming weeks.

At a news conference in Seattle, NHTSA officials emphasized the dangers of distractions on the road, pointing out the expansive use of cell phones, texting, and eating. In fact, the agency used its meeting to open its annual U Drive, U Text. U Pay awareness campaign.