Every second of distracted driving poses a major safety risk for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians everywhere. In 2023, US drivers spent an average of 1 minute and 38 seconds per hour handling their phone while driving. This is equal to driving over a mile on the highway blindfolded. 

But distracted driving risk varies based on the state you’re in. Some states are much safer, where distracted driving rates are over 1 minute lower than the most distracted states. That’s the difference of driving three-quarters of a mile without looking at the road. 

Looking at it another way, drivers in the five safest states were 42% less distracted than drivers in the five most distracted states. Drivers in states with the lowest distraction levels are 11.2% less likely to get into a serious crash.

Why are drivers in certain states more focused on the roads?

To find out, we dug into the driving data and how states are working to reduce distracted driving. We looked at the states with the lowest levels of distraction, the states that have improved the most since 2022, and the strategies they are implementing to prevent crashes, injuries, fatalities, and economic losses.

For a full state-by-state breakdown of distracted driving across the US, download our report: The State of US Road Risk in 2024.

Top 5 least distracted states

#1. Oregon — 1:07: Oregon is the least distracted state in the US. It’s 31% less distracted than the national average and 16% less distracted than the other top states. Oregon has the strictest hands-free law in the country, fining distracted drivers up to $1,000. Oregon’s laws and harsh penalties are having an impact, preventing over 5,000 crashes, 2,880 injuries, 23 fatalities, and over $200M in economic damage in 2023.

#2. Vermont — 01:14: Vermont drivers used their phones for 1 minute and 14 seconds per driving hour in 2023, 25% less than the national average. Vermont’s safe driving program, Drive Well Vermont encourages Vermonters to take responsibility for their driving with videos and tips. The state’s reduction in distraction prevented 622 crashes, 349 injuries, 3 fatalities, and over $24M in economic damage last year. 

#3 and #4. Wisconsin and New Hampshire — 01:16: Wisconsin and New Hampshire both see 22% less distraction than the national average. Wisconsin DOT’s Buckle Up Phone Down campaign asks businesses, organizations, schools, municipalities, and individuals to pledge to put their phones down while driving, wear their seatbelts, and spread the word on social media.  

In 2023, New Hampshire strengthened its Hands-Free Law with increased penalties and higher offense classifications for distracted driving. A year later, the NH Department of Safety plans to spend $500,000 on distracted driving awareness and enforcement. By reducing distraction levels, the states have prevented a combined 6,600 crashes, 3,600 injuries, 30 deaths, and $265M in economic damage. 

#5. Washington — 01:17: The 700-mile stretch from Washington to Oregon is one of the least distracted regions of the country.  Washington is 21% less distracted than the national average. Using technology to help reduce distraction, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission launched a six-month pilot program using “SmartSigns” to detect distracted driving and provide real-time feedback to drivers. The state’s low distraction levels prevented 6,700 crashes, 3,750 injuries, 30 deaths, and over $265M in damages last year. 

These states highlight how critical hands-free legislation and safe driving education are in making roads and drivers safer across the country. Four of the five least distracted states have a hands-free law, making it illegal for drivers to handle their phones behind the wheel. Only one of the most distracted states has a hands-free law. 

Distraction improved in other states in 2023

With more states enacting hands-free laws and focusing on awareness campaigns, we’re also seeing states with varying levels of distraction getting safer. 

Overall, phone motion distracted driving rates dropped for the first time last year since our reporting began in 2019, falling 12.5% from 2022 across the US. Certain states have seen distracted driving rates drop substantially.

Let’s look at which states improved the most and how their reduction in distraction impacted crash rates, injuries, fatalities, and economic damage.  

#1. Connecticut — 24% improvement: Distraction in Connecticut fell by 24% in 2023. Connecticut has some of the harshest penalties for distracted driving. Ticketed drivers are fined $200 for the first offense — a higher first offense fine than 36 other states. CT’s reduction in distraction helped prevent over 3,330 crashes, 1,800 injuries, 15 fatalities, and $130M in economic damage. 

#2. Florida — 21% improvement: Florida’s distracted driving rate improved by 21%. Drivers spent 1 minute and 27 seconds per hour driving distracted compared to 1 minute and 54 seconds. The state sees 29% less distraction than its neighboring southern states —  the most distracted area of the country. In 2023, Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles launched the “It All Can Wait” distracted driving awareness campaign in partnership with law enforcement. This reduction in distraction has helped Florida prevent over 18,000 crashes, 10,000 injuries, 83 deaths, and $720M in economic damage. 

#3. Maryland — 18% improvement: In 2023, Maryland’s distraction levels dropped to the average US distraction rate, coinciding with Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration’s “Be the Focused Driver” campaign. The campaign consisted of out-of-home advertising, audio, display, and social ads. It gained over 8M impressions across Clear Channel, iHeart, Audacy, Waze, and Facebook. The state’s distraction reduction helped prevent 4,200 crashes, 2,400 injuries, 19 deaths, and $170M in economic damage in 2023.

#4. Delaware — 16% improvement: While Delaware is one of the top 20 most distracted states, it’s also one of the most improved. Since 2022, Delaware has cut distraction by 19 seconds per hour. After near-record high traffic fatalities, the DelDOT Leadership Academy launched the  “Be DelAWARE” safe driving campaign, urging drivers and businesses to take a safe driving pledge. The Office of Highway Safety also launched the “Be Alert and Arrive Alive Campaign” to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving through advertising on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Pandora, and local radio stations. The state’s efforts helped prevent 718 crashes, 402 injuries, 3 fatalities, and $28M in economic damage.

#5. Missouri — 15% improvement: Missouri was one of four states that introduced a hands-free law in 2023. One year after the Siddens Bening hands-free law took effect, distraction dropped by 5.1%. Missouri reduced distracted driving by 15% from 2022. Missouri’s drop in distraction helped prevent over 4,000 crashes, 2,300 injuries, 19 deaths, and over $160M in economic damage. 

Distracted driving is a challenge for safety officials in every state. By understanding how distraction compares to the rest of the nation or changes in their state, officials can evaluate the effectiveness of their safety programs and interventions, like hands-free laws, signage, and educational programs, and promote that their strategies are making an impact.