Thanksgiving Driving Risks: CMT Has The Data

CMT have published some data on distracted driving over the Thanksgiving holidays in the USA, here’s the word;

According to a new CMT analysis, distracted driving skyrockets on Thanksgiving Day. On an average day two weeks before and after Thanksgiving, drivers spend an average of 2 minutes and 2 seconds on their phones while driving. On Thanksgiving Day, this time increases to 2 minutes and 13 seconds, a 9.2% increase.

The time drivers spend on their phones on Thanksgiving has increased consistently since 2020. In 2020, drivers spent 2 minutes and 4 seconds per driving hour on their phones. In 2021, distraction increased to 2 minutes and 18 seconds. 2022 continued this trend with drivers spending 2 minutes and 24 seconds on their phones per driving hour, a 20-second increase since 2020.

HARD DATA

For this analysis, CMT compared the two-week periods before and after Thanksgiving. It covers over 5.6 million trips. CMT defines screen interaction when a driver is tapping on the screen while the vehicle is traveling over 9 mph.

The 9.2% surge in screen interaction carries severe and fatal consequences. CMT’s research reveals that for every 10% rise in distracted driving, the crash rate increases by 1.4%. We estimate the increase in distracted driving on Thanksgiving has resulted in approximately 1,800 additional crashes, five fatalities, and economic damages totaling $45 million over the past three years.

Not only does distracted driving increase the crash rate, but it also increases the severity of crashes. Based on CMT’s data, phone screen interaction causes a 21.2% increase in crash severity. Increases in severity lead to more road injuries and fatalities.

You can read more over at the CMT site by the way.