The Apps Behind the Wheel: How Mobile Distractions Are Fueling Traffic Fatalities

We all know distracted driving is dangerous, but with mobile phones more connected to our daily lives than ever, it’s becoming harder for drivers to disconnect even on the road. Despite a slight dip in traffic deaths since 2021, more than 40,990 people died in crashes in 2023, and over 360,000 others were injured. A large portion of those incidents can be traced back to a problem hiding in plain sight: app use behind the wheel.

At Foster Wallace, we’ve seen the painful aftermath of distracted driving. That’s why we set out to understand exactly how apps are contributing to these accidents and which ones drivers are using the most when they should be focused on the road.

Why App Use While Driving Is So Dangerous

Distraction on the road isn’t just about texting anymore. It’s about everything from checking your email to ordering lunch. And while a glance at a screen might seem harmless, the impact can be deadly.

Studies show that 34 percent of crashes occur within the first minute after a distraction begins. Even after a driver puts their phone down, their full attention doesn’t return immediately. On average, it takes 27 seconds to fully refocus. At highway speeds, that means traveling the length of nearly six football fields without being fully present.

Right now, more than 326,000 drivers are talking on their phones while driving, and 464,000 are visibly interacting with their screens, tapping, scrolling, or typing while moving through traffic.

What Are the Most Commonly Used Apps While Driving?

Our analysis revealed that drivers are using much more than just texting or GPS apps. Here’s a breakdown of what’s grabbing their attention:

• Social media: 57% of drivers admit to using Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger while driving.
• Shopping: 47% scroll through Amazon or Afterpay while behind the wheel.
• Email and browsers: 42% check Gmail or use web search apps while driving.
• Fast food and delivery apps: 41% use apps like McDonald’s and Domino’s mid-commute.
• Streaming and entertainment: 40% admit to watching videos on YouTube, Disney+, or similar platforms.

Some even use TikTok or their phone’s camera app, which require focused attention and completely take eyes off the road. These behaviors aren’t just risky—they’re deadly.

Who’s Most Likely to Use Apps While Driving?

The data shows some clear trends in who is most likely to be distracted by apps while driving:

• Drivers aged 16 to 24 lead in both phone calls and active phone use while driving.
• Women are slightly more likely than men to use phones while behind the wheel (3.4% vs. 2.8%).
• Northeastern drivers report the highest rate of distracted driving, followed by drivers in the South, West, and Midwest.
• Android users are more likely than iPhone users to use apps while driving (78% vs. 72%).

Even among older adults, distraction remains a concern. Over 2 percent of drivers aged 25 to 69 talk on their phones while driving, and nearly 1 percent of drivers aged 70 and older do the same.

What’s Being Done to Prevent It?

Fortunately, efforts are underway to reduce phone-related crashes. Both technology and legislation are stepping in to help:

• Drive Smart automatically silences alerts and sends calls to voicemail while driving.
• On My Way rewards users for keeping their phones locked during trips.
• LifeSaver blocks phone usage altogether once driving is detected.

On the legal side, 48 states have banned texting while driving, and 25 have also outlawed talking on handheld phones. North Carolina, for example, has strict phone use bans for younger drivers and school bus operators.

Our Perspective at Foster Wallace

We’ve represented clients whose lives were changed in an instant because another driver was paying more attention to a phone than the road. It’s devastating. And what makes it even harder is knowing how preventable these crashes are.

When a third of accidents happen within a minute of distraction, it’s not about how fast you react it’s about how focused you are from the start. We support technology like Drive Smart and LifeSaver, but more importantly, we believe in individual responsibility.

The choice to silence your phone or set it aside before driving isn’t just a good habit, it could save a life.