MENU
SEARCHVirginia drivers were 57% more likely to manipulate a cellphone in 2018 than they were when IIHS conducted the same study in 2014, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found in an observational survey.
Virginia drivers manipulating cellphones increased 57% over a four-year period studied by IIHS.
Photo courtesy of IIHS.
Virginia drivers were 57% more likely to manipulate a cellphone in 2018 than they were when IIHS conducted the same study in 2014, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found in an observational survey.
Specifically, the percentage of drivers observed fiddling with a cellphone while behind the wheel rose from 2.3% in 2014 to 3.4% in 2018.
Another key finding from the study concerns crash deaths — some 800 roadway fatalities in 2017 alone can be attributed to drivers interacting with their cellphones while operating the vehicle.
In a statement, the National Safety Council said the latest IIHS study reinforces that "distracted driving continues to plague our roadways."
The study also indicates that drivers are using their cellphones in new ways. While manipulation of cellphones increased in 2018, talking on a hand-held or simply holding one decreased.
In 2018, 3.7% of drivers in Northern Virginia were observed talking on a hand-held cellphone, compared with 4.1% in 2014, while 2.8% of drivers in 2018 were seen holding a cellphone, compared with 4.9% in the prior survey.
As for other distracted driving behaviors beyond cellphone use, the IIHS reports that approximately 14% of drivers in 2014 and 2018 were engaged in some form — exceeding the proportion of drivers observed using cellphones in both years.
Specific behaviors that were more prevalent in drivers in 2018 versus 2014 include manipulating an in-vehicle system, grooming, and manipulating or holding an electronic device other than a cellphone.
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →
While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.
Read More →
Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.
Read More →
A two-part conversation with Stefan Heck on how AI is transforming the fight against distracted driving. As fleets adopt smarter tools, the focus shifts from reacting to preventing risk. In Part 1, we look at where AI is making an impact for fleets today.
Read More →
More people on foot means more risk for drivers. These pedestrian safety tips can help prevent serious injuries and keep everyone safer on the road.
Read More →
Safer crews. Fewer incidents. Better uptime. Learn how driver-assist technology is changing the way vocational fleets operate.
Read More →
An 11% drop in pedestrian fatalities in early 2025 signals progress in U.S. road safety, but elevated death rates and ongoing risks underscore the need for continued action from fleets and policymakers.
Read More →
