Every 12 minutes, someone in the United States dies in a motor vehicle crash. In 2022 alone, that added up to 42,514 lives lost, many of which were entirely preventable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Safety Council (NSC), nearly 30,000 of these deaths were caused by just three reckless driving behaviors: drunk driving, speeding, and distracted driving. DeMayo Law Offices explores this a bit more in-depth in this study.
Beyond the fatalities, another 2.3 million people were injured in non-fatal crashes that same year, roughly five people every minute. The numbers are staggering, but they also tell a story: these behaviors are still alarmingly common.
Drunk Driving: Still a Leading Killer on the Road
Drunk driving continues to account for the largest share of traffic deaths, with 13,524 fatalities in 2022, which is 32% of all U.S. crash deaths. These crashes often involve drivers who are well over the legal limit. In fact, more than 9,000 of those deaths were tied to drivers with a BAC of 0.15% or higher, almost twice the legal limit.
Additional insights include:
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Motorcyclists made up 28% of alcohol-related fatalities.
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Passenger car drivers accounted for 25%.
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Light truck/SUV drivers made up 21%.
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Large truck drivers accounted for 3%.
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The age group 25–34 had the highest rate of drunk driving deaths (41.5%).
And it’s not just statistics; attitudes play a role. A study by the American Addiction Centers found that over half of drivers (53.8%) believe they’re “okay to drive” after drinking. This mindset continues to put thousands at risk.
Speeding: Fast, Fatal, and Far Too Common
Speeding contributed to 12,151 deaths in 2022, nearly 29% of all motor vehicle fatalities. That’s about 33 people every day. Often tied to aggression, running late, or a false sense of control, speeding remains one of the most common and deadliest driving choices.
Here’s what the numbers show:
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35% of male drivers in fatal crashes were speeding, compared to 19% of females.
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Drivers aged 15–20 were the most likely to be involved in fatal speeding crashes.
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The second-highest group? Ages 21–24, with high percentages among male drivers.
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21% of fatal crashes involving speeding happened at night on weekends.
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In North Carolina, 660 people died in speeding-related crashes in 2022 alone.
Distracted Driving: The Modern Risk
Distracted driving claimed 3,308 lives in 2022—about 11% of total fatalities. Whether it’s texting, changing music, or simply daydreaming, any action that takes your focus off the road can have deadly consequences.
Distractions typically fall into three categories:
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Visual: taking your eyes off the road
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Manual: taking your hands off the wheel
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Cognitive: letting your mind wander
Younger drivers are especially vulnerable. 6.5% of drivers aged 16–24 admit to using a handheld device while driving, the highest of any age group. Even with bans in place across 49 states for texting while driving, nearly half of drivers (49.5%) still admit to phone use behind the wheel.
In North Carolina, the law bans all cellphone use for bus drivers and anyone under 18 while driving.
What Can Be Done?
Despite existing laws and campaigns, dangerous driving remains a public health crisis. Reducing these behaviors will take a combination of policy changes, public awareness, and personal accountability.
Experts suggest:
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Lowering the legal BAC limit to 0.05%
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Increasing sobriety checkpoints
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Expanding automated speed enforcement
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Strengthening distracted driving laws
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Encouraging driver education programs, especially for young drivers
Legal Recourse for Victims
If you’ve been injured or lost someone because of a drunk, speeding, or distracted driver, you may be eligible for compensation. Taking legal action isn’t just about money it’s about holding reckless drivers accountable and making roads safer for everyone.
At DeMayo Law Offices, we advocate for victims and their families, helping them understand their rights and recover after tragedy strikes.