Distracted Driving Month: Reducing road risks through action

The following information is provided by Nationwide®, your approved insurance and financial services company.

An epidemic: That's how the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describes distracted driving on U.S. roadways. Especially with just about every driver carrying a smartphone, the causes for distracted driving continue to grow and evolve. This Distracted Driving Awareness Month serves as an important reminder to:

• Set a good example for others, especially new drivers and children. Put your phone away (PDF) and keep your eyes on the road.
• Educate yourself on the types of distracted driving and how to avoid them.
• Check if your state has a distracted driving or hands-free law. If not, reach out to your state lawmakers to advocate for one.

According to the NHTSA, distracted driving claimed 3,308 lives in 2022—a sobering reminder of its ongoing threat on roads nationwide. The problem is even worse as crashes involving cell phone use are significantly underreported. While this dangerous behavior impacts both urban and rural roads, the figure marks a decrease of about 6% from 3,521 deaths in 2021, offering a glimmer of progress amidst the tragedy.

Advocacy and policy working together

The encouraging news, as reflected in the NHTSA data, is that advocacy and regulation are making a difference. Programs like the Nationwide Drive the 5 safety program are effectively promoting safe driving practices to help reduce distracted driving accidents. However, there’s still much work to be done.

"While the vast majority of drivers support action to stop distracted driving, it's still a huge problem in this country," said Nationwide Associate Vice President for Government Relations Chad Wilson. "We continue to work toward no lives lost from distracted driving. And the statistics show we have a lot of work left to do."

State leaders are increasingly turning to regulatory and legislative measures to combat distracted driving. Currently, 30 states prohibit handheld phone use, 49 ban texting while driving, and 44 have enacted broader distracted driving laws. These efforts are yielding tangible results. For example, Ohio implemented a new distracted driving law in October 2023. According to preliminary data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, distracted driving crashes dropped significantly resulting in 15,400 fewer motor vehicle crashes compared to the previous year. Even more striking, fatal crashes caused by distracted driving decreased by an impressive 19.4%. These results highlight the effectiveness of proactive measures in reducing dangerous driving behaviors and saving lives.

"This is exactly what we expected would happen," DeWine said in a statement. "Ohio's tougher distracted driving law is influencing better behavior behind the wheel, leading to fewer crashes and fewer deaths. Together, we are promoting a culture of responsibility on our roads, and that’s truly something to celebrate."

More work is needed

Laws like the new one in Ohio help stop distracted driving. And drivers want more legislative action. A recent Nationwide survey (PDF) showed 89% of drivers support legislation mandating hands-free use of cell phones and other portable electronic devices for all drivers.

Reducing distracted driving demands ongoing efforts through both advocacy and regulation. Agribusiness employers play a vital role in this mission. With motor vehicle accidents being the leading cause of work-related fatalities in the U.S., businesses can help make roads safer by championing the Drive the 5 program. This initiative encourages all operators to commit to driving distraction-free. Nationwide offers a variety of resources for farms and agribusinesses to align teams on best practices for roadway safety and minimizing distractions. Together, we can create safer roads for everyone.

Experts say while these types of resources are valuable, changing driver behavior with distracted driving to cut down on traffic accidents will remain a combination of advocacy and policy moving forward.

“It’s about changing behavior,” said Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson in a statement. “Public education and awareness are critical to the success of our strengthened distracted driving law.”

Visit AgInsightCenter.com for more resources and expert tips to help you run a successful business and maintain the safety of your operation.

Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2025 Nationwide