Teen Distracted Driving in Texas: What the Stats Are Telling Us

Getting your drivers license is a big step—and it comes with a lot of new responsibilities. One of the biggest? Staying focused behind the wheel. In Texas, distracted driving continues to be one of the leading causes of crashes, especially for teen drivers. This guide walks you through the data, the laws, and what you can do to stay safe.

The Numbers: What’s Really Happening on Texas Roads

According to the Texas Department of Transportation’s official distracted driving campaignTraffic Safety Campaigns Distracted Driving.html Safety, nearly 1 in 5 crashes on Texas roads in 2023 involved a distracted driver. These incidents led to 373 deaths and 2,587 serious injuries. Drivers aged 16 to 24 were involved in more than 26,000 distraction-related crashes, underscoring the elevated risk for younger drivers statewide.

Nationally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)Distracted Driving Risky Driving reports that:

• 3,275 people died from distracted driving in 2023

• Texting takes your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds—long enough to travel a football field at highway speed

Distraction doesn’t always look like someone staring at their phone. It can be reaching for a drink, daydreaming, or changing the playlist. But even quick moments can lead to serious consequences.

What Texas Law Says (Especially for New Drivers)

Here’s what you need to know if you're under 18 in Texas:

• Using a phone while driving is completely banned—even hands-free

• Texting while driving is illegal for drivers of any age

• Violations can mean fines, points on your license, and insurance rate hikes

You’re not expected to be perfect, but you are expected to follow the law. And building good habits early makes a difference. For example, take a look at 5 bad habits experienced drivers pick upTrending 5 Bad Habits Experienced Drivers Pick Driversed.com—and learn how to avoid them from the start.

What Distraction Actually Looks Like

Distractions are usually grouped into three types:

• Visual: Eyes off the road

• Manual: Hands off the wheel

• Cognitive: Mind off driving

Most distractions combine at least two of these. A quick glance at your phone? That’s visual and cognitive. Adjusting your playlist while talking to friends? That could be all three. Awareness is the first step toward safer driving.

Simple Ways to Stay Focused

You don’t need complicated systems or expensive apps—just a few consistent habits:

• Set everything before you drive—maps, music, messages

• Put your phone out of reach—in your bag, glovebox, or back seat

• Speak up if passengers are distracting you—a quick “I need to concentrate right now” goes a long way

Bright conditions can also be a challenge. For that, here are 3 tips to stay safe when driving in the sunTrending 3 Tips Keep You Safe While Driving Sun Driversed.com.

If You’ve Never Had a Close Call…

Even if you’ve never had a crash, staying alert matters
Even if you just check your phone at red lights, it’s a habit worth breaking
Even if you feel in control, others around you may not be

Staying focused helps you protect the people around you, too. For example, review these school bus safety tips every driver should knowTrending 5 School Bus Safety Tips Every Driver Needs Know Driversed.com—especially helpful for teens driving in school zones.

Key Takeaways

• Distracted driving is one of the top causes of teen crashes in Texas

• The law is clear: no phone use if you're under 18

• Staying focused is a skill, and you can build it with small daily habits

No one expects you to be perfect. But being prepared, aware, and focused? That’s how you get home safely—and help others do the same.