Distracted driving continues to plague U.S. roadways, contributing to nearly 9% of traffic deaths in 2022. As drivers become increasingly connected to their phones and devices, the risks grow. But when asked which state leads the nation in distracted driving, many might guess California, given its reputation for heavy traffic and car-centric culture.
Surprisingly, California didn’t even make the top five. Legal expert Brian Harnick and life coach Sue Abramowitz weighed in on the results, which show that California ranks fourth safest among U.S. states when it comes to fatalities caused by distracted drivers.
“I’m not surprised,” said Abramowitz. “California is one of the safest places to drive. The laws are strict, and our statistics put us near the bottom of the list for distracted driving fatalities. My husband’s biggest frustration is drivers cutting him off and not paying attention, but as far as laws go, California’s are pretty solid.”
Brian Harnick echoed this sentiment, though he added a note of skepticism. “I’m kind of surprised, but I always question statistics,” he said, citing a joke that “83% of all statistics are made up.” However, he praised California’s transportation infrastructure, noting that “when you slow down, you may still get in an accident, but it’s less likely to be fatal.” He also credited state transportation officials, saying, “Hats off to the California transportation folks. I think they’ve overall done a good job.”
As distracted driving continues to be a national concern, California’s relatively low fatality numbers offer a positive note for the state’s drivers. Whether it’s due to strict laws, solid infrastructure, or simple caution behind the wheel, California seems to be leading by example when it comes to traffic safety.
Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.
By: Fred Roggin
June 3, 2025
