2025 texting and driving statistics show alarming numbers of accidents caused by drivers distracted by cellphone use. California laws prohibit texting or using a handheld device while driving — in fact, you can’t even touch your phone while behind the wheel. Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop thousands of drivers from texting or talking on their phones while driving. The number of accidents and fatalities tied to distraction has not declined.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, call Megeredchian Law at (866) 359-0807 for a free consultation with one of our experts. We’ll determine whether you qualify for compensation. If you do, we’ll assign one of our experienced car accident lawyers in California to help you recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and more.
2025 Texting and Driving Statistics
The California Office of Traffic Safety defines distracted driving as “anything that takes your eyes, hands, or mind away from the task of driving.” The same source indicates that, in 2025, mobile devices remain “the biggest distraction for drivers, whether it’s texting, talking on the phone, or using apps.” Regarding texting while driving, a recent OTS Public Opinion Survey revealed that 71.4% of Californians identified it as one of their top traffic safety concerns.
Some other California texting and driving statistics from the last few years include:
- In California, 148 people were killed in distracted-driving crashes in 2022.
- In 2024, 72.7% of drivers in California considered “texting or checking a phone while driving” the most serious distraction.
- Nationally, drivers are 2–6 times more likely to crash when manipulating a cellphone (texting or otherwise).
- About 27% of U.S. drivers admit to texting while driving, and 37% admit to reading messages while driving.
- In California under the updated 2025 rule, drivers can now be cited for holding a phone while operating a vehicle, even if not texting or talking.
The New “No-Touch” Phone Law in California
Starting June 2025, the California Vehicle Code 23123.5 strictly prohibited drivers from physically handling their phones while driving. This was officially stated through a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Facebook post shared on July 12th this year. In that post, they specified some key elements of this new law:
- No Holding Allowed: it is now illegal to hold a phone while driving, whether or not it’s in use. Simply holding the device is a violation.
- Hands-Free Use: drivers may use their phones if the device is mounted on the dashboard or windshield, and all interactions are made via voice commands/a single tap/ or swipe.
- Navigation and Music: if you use your phone for GPS or music, it must still be mounted and used hands-free. Holding the phone at any time is not permitted—even for quick adjustments.
Motorists who break this law receive an initial base fine of $20, but with added fees and penalties, the total typically reaches about $136.
A second violation within three years can cost roughly $272, and the driver may also receive one point on their DMV record. Collecting multiple points can raise insurance premiums and, in more serious instances, result in a license suspension.
Because this is a primary enforcement law, officers may pull over a driver solely for this infraction, without needing any other traffic violation to justify the stop.
Here’s some advice about the “No-Touch Phone Law” from Edric Hovssepian – Litigation Associate at Megeredchian Law:
@megeredchianlaw Did you know, in California, it’s illegal to even just TOUCH your phone? 📱 #MegeredchianLaw #Attorney #InjuryAttorney #NoTouch #California ♬ original sound – Megeredchian Law
Texting and Driving Facts
How is Texting and Driving Dangerous?
Texting behind the wheel is one of the most dangerous distractions for drivers because it affects three critical senses at once — visual, manual, and cognitive.
- Visual distraction: Taking your eyes off the road, even for a few seconds, means you may miss a stopped vehicle, a red light, or a pedestrian crossing.
- Manual distraction: Typing or holding a phone takes your hands off the steering wheel, reducing your ability to react quickly to sudden hazards.
- Cognitive distraction: Thinking about a message or conversation pulls your attention away from driving decisions such as maintaining speed, checking mirrors, or following traffic signals.
Because texting combines all three types of distraction, it’s considered among the riskiest behaviors a driver can engage in. Studies by national traffic safety agencies show that taking your eyes off the road for just five seconds while traveling at highway speeds is equivalent to driving the length of a football field blindfolded.
Deaths and Injuries: The Real-World Consequences of Texting While Driving
Every year, thousands of people in the U.S. are injured or killed in crashes linked to distracted driving. California continues to see fatal and serious-injury collisions caused by drivers who were using their phones. As of the injuries caused by texting while driving, we can list:
- Broken bones
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Quadriplegic
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
Reaction Time Slows as Much as a Drunk Driver’s
Experts often compare texting while driving to driving under the influence, because both impair judgment, delay reaction times, and dramatically increase the likelihood of a crash.
Studies show that drivers who text have reaction times up to three times slower than those who are fully focused. This delay can mean the difference between stopping safely or rear-ending another vehicle. In simulated tests, texting drivers performed just as poorly — or worse — than drivers with a blood alcohol concentration near the legal limit.
Younger Drivers Are the Most Affected Group
Young drivers — especially those under 35 — remain the group most likely to text or scroll while behind the wheel. In fact, drivers aged 16 to 30 are consistently the group most likely to admit to reading or sending messages while driving. Many believe they can multitask effectively, but data shows this confidence is misplaced — younger drivers have higher rates of distraction-related collisions than any other age group.
Texting Drivers Are 23 Times More Likely to Crash
Research using naturalistic driving studies found that people who text behind the wheel are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash or near-crash event compared to those who aren’t distracted. The risk multiplies even further at night or in congested traffic.
Most Crashes Happen Within Seconds of Distraction
The majority of texting-related crashes occur within three seconds of the driver’s attention leaving the road. That’s why even “just a quick text” can turn deadly — you don’t need to be distracted for long to cause irreversible harm.
Actually, when traveling at 55 mph, looking down at your phone for five seconds means you drive about the length of a football field without watching the road. During that time, a vehicle could change lanes, traffic could stop, or a pedestrian could step off a curb — and you would never see it coming.
Were You Hit By a Distracted Driver? Call Us!
It can be extremely stressful to care for a loved one who has been injured because of another party’s negligence — especially if that person was texting while driving. The same applies if you were the one hurt in the crash.
Severe injuries affect not only the victim but also their entire family. While the injured person focuses on recovery and adjusting to a new way of living, family members may need to take time off work to provide care and support. This often results in thousands of dollars in medical bills, physical therapy expenses, and lost wages — both past and future. You deserve full compensation for these financial and emotional hardships.Our car accident attorneys have been representing injured victims for decades. We know exactly what it takes to communicate and negotiate with insurance companies, build strong claims, and fight for the maximum compensation possible. Our offices serve clients in Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Sacramento, and throughout California. You can reach us from anywhere in the state at (866) 359-0807 with any questions about your car accident case.