Distracted driving caused more than 128,000 crashes across Florida in 2024, according to new research highlighting the growing role technology and inattention are playing in roadway accidents statewide.
The findings come as Florida lawmakers prepare to revisit distracted driving legislation during the 2026 legislative session, including proposals focused on handheld phone use behind the wheel.
But researchers say the current conversation may still be overlooking some of the fastest-growing sources of distraction inside modern vehicles.
A study by The Schiller Kessler Group found that distracted driving contributed to 128,221 crashes across Florida in 2024, resulting in 239 deaths and more than 38,000 injuries.
The research also found that general inattentiveness — rather than phone calls or texting specifically — accounted for approximately 117,000 incidents and 218 fatalities, making it the single largest distracted driving category statewide.
“Distracted driving is no longer just about texting while driving,” a spokesperson for The Schiller Kessler Group said.
“Modern drivers are surrounded by constant sources of distraction, from dashboard screens and navigation systems to wearable devices and in-car technology. The legal framework is struggling to keep pace with how people actually drive today.”
Florida’s proposed Senate Bill 1152 would introduce restrictions around handheld phone use while driving, pushing drivers toward hands-free technology instead.
However, researchers note the bill currently does not address smartwatches, wearable notifications or built-in infotainment systems — all of which continue to become more common inside vehicles.
The report argues those gaps could become increasingly significant as Florida’s roads face continued population growth and rising traffic volumes.
Florida recorded 381,423 crashes in total during 2024 — averaging more than 1,000 collisions per day.
The state is also expected to add approximately 1,000 new residents per day over the next several decades, increasing long-term pressure on already congested road systems.
Researchers say distracted driving trends are unlikely to improve without broader conversations around driver behaviour and evolving vehicle technology.
“The biggest challenge is that many distractions are now built directly into the driving experience itself,” the spokesperson added.
“Drivers are interacting with navigation systems, touchscreens, watches and notifications constantly. In many cases those distractions remain entirely legal.”
The study also found that distracted driving injuries in Florida significantly exceeded injuries linked to speeding and alcohol-related crashes combined.
Road safety experts have repeatedly warned that distraction-related crashes are difficult to measure accurately because many incidents are categorised simply as “inattention” rather than tied to specific devices.
The Schiller Kessler Group says the findings highlight the need for continued focus on roadway safety, driver awareness and how technology is reshaping modern driving behaviour.
The research analysed crash and driver behaviour data across all 67 Florida counties.
For further information on Florida crash trends, distracted driving statistics and county-level accident data, readers can explore the full findings below.
Click here for further information:
https://www.injuredinflorida.com/research/most-accident-prone-florida-counties/
