App Addiction at 60 MPH: How Phones Are Becoming the Biggest Threat on the Road

There’s no shortage of things fighting for our attention these days—texts, social media, emails, food delivery, endless notifications. But one place your attention can’t afford to wander is behind the wheel. And yet, for many drivers, phones have become just as essential to the drive as the steering wheel itself.

At Foster Wallace, we’ve seen what happens when a quick glance at a screen leads to a devastating crash. As phone use continues to rise, so do the risks especially when people treat their cars like mobile offices, entertainment centers, and fast-food ordering kiosks.

In 2023, over 40,000 people lost their lives in vehicle crashes, and hundreds of thousands more were injured. A growing portion of those accidents are tied to drivers using mobile apps on the road.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s really happening on our roads and what we can do to stop it.

The Rise of Mobile Multitasking Behind the Wheel

Today’s distracted drivers are no longer just texting. They’re doing it all, browsing Amazon, scrolling through TikTok, replying to emails, ordering lunch, and even watching videos. And all of it is happening while their hands and eyes should be focused on the road.

It’s not just dangerous. It’s deadly.

Studies show that distraction-related crashes often occur within just one minute of a driver losing focus. And even after you stop interacting with your phone, your brain needs about 27 seconds to fully shift attention back to the task of driving.

That’s 27 seconds too long.

What Are Drivers Really Doing on Their Phones?

According to recent data, it’s not one app that’s to blame—it’s several. Here’s what drivers admit to using most while driving:

• Social Media: Nearly 6 out of 10 drivers say they use Instagram, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger while on the road.
• Shopping: 47 percent browse apps like Amazon and Afterpay while behind the wheel.
• Email and Browsing: 42 percent check their inbox or open browsers like Chrome while driving.
• Food & Restaurant Apps: 41 percent use fast food and delivery apps like Domino’s and McDonald’s during their commute.
• Streaming & Entertainment: 40 percent watch or listen to content on YouTube, Disney+, and more.

Apps like TikTok and even the phone’s built-in camera are also commonly used while driving, making the situation even more dangerous due to their visual demands.

Who’s Most Likely to Be Distracted?

Demographics matter when it comes to distracted driving habits. Here’s what the data shows:

• Drivers aged 16 to 24 are the most likely to talk on their phones and interact with screens while driving.
• Women are slightly more likely than men to use phones while driving (3.4% vs. 2.8%).
• Drivers in the Northeast report the highest distraction rates, followed by those in the South, West, and Midwest.
• Android users are more likely than iPhone users to use apps behind the wheel (78% vs. 72%).

Even drivers over 70 are using phones in traffic. Nearly 1 percent of seniors admit to talking on the phone while driving, and phone manipulation spans all age groups.

Real Solutions for a Real Problem

While personal responsibility is a major factor in stopping distracted driving, technology and laws are playing an increasing role too.

Several mobile apps are designed to help drivers stay focused:

• Drive Smart automatically silences calls and notifications while driving.
• On My Way offers rewards for not using your phone behind the wheel.
• LifeSaver disables phone access when driving motion is detected.

In addition to technology, legislation is helping steer the change. Today, 48 states ban texting while driving, and 25 have banned talking on handheld devices altogether. Enforcement still varies, but public support for stricter penalties is growing.

What We Believe at Foster Wallace

We’ve represented far too many clients whose lives were permanently changed by distracted drivers. Some were seriously injured. Some lost loved ones. All of them are victims of something that didn’t have to happen.

The message is simple: your phone can wait.

Putting the phone down doesn’t mean missing out. It means staying alive. It means keeping other people safe. It means showing up at your destination and not being the reason someone else doesn’t make it home.