Drunk Driving, Speeding, and Distractions Behind the Wheel Contribute to Nearly 30,000 U.S. Traffic Deaths

Dangerous driving behaviors continue to take lives on U.S. roads at an alarming rate. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Safety Council (NSC), nearly 30,000 lives were lost in 2022 due to just three common causes: drunk driving, speeding, and distracted driving.

In total, 42,514 people were killed in traffic crashes that year. That’s one life lost every 12 minutes. Alongside the fatalities, more than 2.3 million people were injured in non-fatal crashes, which averages to about five injuries every minute. These numbers serve as a clear call to action for stronger safety laws and more public awareness about how preventable these accidents truly are.

A Closer Look at Dangerous Driving in America

This report by DeMayo Law brings together data from several national studies to highlight the impact of these three behaviors. It also explores why they continue to be so common despite widespread awareness campaigns and existing traffic laws.

Drunk Driving: A Persistent Threat

Alcohol-impaired driving remains one of the top causes of fatal crashes. In 2022, 13,524 people died due to drunk driving, which made up 32 percent of all traffic fatalities.

Drunk driving is defined as operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. Many drivers in these fatal crashes had BAC levels that were nearly double the legal limit.

Here are some key takeaways from the data:

• 28 percent of alcohol-related fatalities involved motorcyclists
• 25 percent involved drivers of passenger cars
• 21 percent involved SUV or light truck drivers
• 3 percent involved drivers of large commercial trucks
• In 9,047 fatal crashes, the driver’s BAC was 0.15 percent or higher
• Drivers between 25 and 34 years old had the highest rate of drunk driving deaths at 41.5 percent
• July accounted for 10 percent of all alcohol-related crash deaths
• 460 deaths in North Carolina were linked to impaired driving

Surveys show that many drivers still believe they are capable of driving after drinking. A report from the American Addiction Centers found that over half of drivers (53.8 percent) said they felt fine to drive after drinking.

To reduce alcohol-related crashes, experts recommend lowering the legal BAC limit to 0.05 percent, expanding sobriety checkpoints, and investing in stronger enforcement of DUI laws.

Speeding: Deadly and Far Too Common

Speeding is another leading cause of traffic fatalities in the U.S. In 2022, it was responsible for 12,151 deaths, which is about 29 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities. That’s an average of 33 lives lost every day due to speeding.

Here’s what the data shows about who is most at risk:

• 35 percent of speeding drivers in fatal crashes were male, compared to 19 percent who were female
• Drivers between 15 and 20 years old had the highest rate of fatal speeding crashes
• The 21 to 24 age group came in second, with 32 percent of male and 17 percent of female drivers involved in deadly speeding incidents
• About 21 percent of speeding-related deaths occurred at night on weekends
• North Carolina reported 660 speeding-related deaths in 2022

Common reasons for speeding include running late, frustration with traffic, or assuming they won’t get caught. In fact, a survey from The Zebra found that 9 out of 10 drivers admitted to speeding at some point.

Reducing these deaths will take a mix of targeted enforcement, speed cameras in high-risk areas, and better driver education on the consequences of speeding.

Distracted Driving: A Modern-Day Danger

Distracted driving continues to claim lives every year, even as laws against it have become more common. In 2022, 3,308 people were killed in crashes where distraction played a role. That means distractions were a factor in more than 1 in 10 motor vehicle fatalities.

Distraction comes in many forms, but it usually falls into three categories:

• Visual distraction: Taking your eyes off the road
• Manual distraction: Taking your hands off the wheel
• Cognitive distraction: Thinking about something other than driving

The most common distraction today is cell phone use. Despite awareness campaigns and hands-free laws, many drivers still use their phones behind the wheel.

Here’s what the data shows:

• 3.1 percent of drivers use hand-held devices while driving
• Drivers aged 16 to 24 have the highest rate of phone use at 6.5 percent
• Nearly half of drivers (49.5 percent) admit to using their phones while driving
• 30 states ban hand-held phone use for all drivers, and 49 states have texting bans
• North Carolina has specific bans for bus drivers and drivers under 18 using cell phones

Younger drivers are especially at risk due to peer pressure, social media habits, and a desire to stay constantly connected. Many experience FOMO (fear of missing out) and check messages while driving, even knowing it’s unsafe.

Public education, stronger enforcement, and technology that disables phone use while driving could help curb this behavior and prevent future accidents.

Moving Forward: What Needs to Change?

The numbers speak for themselves. Drunk driving, speeding, and distracted driving are all preventable causes of death and injury. Yet they continue to take lives every single day.

To make real progress, we need:

• Stricter traffic enforcement policies
• Lower BAC limits and more DUI checkpoints
• Expanded use of speed cameras and traffic monitoring
• More education campaigns on distracted driving
• Increased public awareness that safe driving saves lives

By taking action and addressing the behaviors that cause the most harm, we can prevent thousands of needless deaths each year. The responsibility lies with all of us drivers, lawmakers, and communities to make the roads safer for everyone.