CDC Analysis Examines Driving Distractions Among U.S. and European Drivers

A recent CDC analysis examined the frequency of two major distractions—cell phone use and texting—among drivers in the United States and several countries in Europe.

The findings suggest U.S. drivers are more likely to be distracted based on the number of drivers that reported talking or texting while driving.

Findings include:

• Overall, 25% of drivers in the United States report that they talk on their cell phone “regularly” or “fairly often” while driving.
• Nearly 40% of U.S. drivers ages 18 to 29 report that they talk on their cell phone “regularly” or “fairly often” while driving.
• The percentage of European drivers who report using the cell phone “regularly” or “fairly often” while driving range from 21% in the Netherlands to 3% in the United Kingdom.
• More than a quarter of U.S. drivers ages 18 to 29 report texting or e-mailing “regularly” or “fairly often” while driving.
• The percentage of European drivers who text or e-mail while driving is higher among drivers aged 18 to 29 than other age groups—from 13% in Portugal to only 3% in the United Kingdom.

Source: CDC