Distracted driving is anything that takes your eyes, hands, or mind away from the task of driving. In 2022, 148 people were killed in California in crashes involving a distracted driver, a decrease of 5.1% from 2021. Mobile devices remain the biggest distraction for drivers, whether it is texting, talking on the phone, or using apps. A 2025 OTS Public Opinion Survey found 71.4% of Californians identified distracted driving because of texting as one of their top traffic safety concern on California roads. Distracted driving countermeasures include paid media education campaigns that inform the public of the dangers of distracted driving and encourage drivers to be distraction-free. Outreach activities and education programs target teen drivers to change behaviors and stay off the phone while driving, as data shows driver distraction is the primary cause of major injury crashes involving teens. Grant programs also include dedicated enforcement of California’s hands-free cell phone law.
DISTRACTED DRIVING PROGRAM AREA GOALS
- Reduce fatal crashes involving drivers using handheld cell phones.
- Reduce injury crashes involving drivers using handheld cell phones.
