Distracted Driving Trends in Indiana

Driving distractions existed long before cellphones, but the invention of the smartphone has made it increasingly difficult for drivers to keep their eyes on the road. Our Indianapolis car accident injury lawyers share some disturbing Indiana distracted driving statistics and how recent laws take aim at the problem.

The Prevalence of Distracted Driving in Indiana

In 2022, distracted driving was responsible for 78 fatalities in Indiana, marking a 25% increase from the previous year. That same year, 14,582 Indiana drivers received citations for distraction-related behavior. This upward trend reflects the ongoing problem of distracted driving nationwide.

Using crash data from 2023, a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study found:

• In 2023, 3,275 people were killed and an additional 324,819 were injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers.
• Distraction was a known factor in 8% of fatal crashes, 13% of crashes causing injury, and 13% of all police-reported motor vehicle crashes.
• Drivers 15 to 20 years old had the highest incidence of distraction in fatal crashes, with 7% of vehicle operators in the age group reported as distracted at the time of the accident.
• Distraction-related crashes caused the death of 611 pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-occupants of vehicles.

Impact on Accident Rates

The Department of Transportation (DOT) reports that distracted driving in Indiana significantly contributes to traffic accidents, resulting in fatalities, numerous injuries, and property damage:

• Crash risk is up to six times higher when drivers hold a cellphone.
• Texting and driving takes attention off the road for an average of five seconds, allowing a car traveling 55 miles per hour to cover a distance equal to a football field.
• According to NHTSA, the 15 states that have enacted hands-free driving laws have seen a 16% decrease in traffic deaths two years after the legislation passed.

Indiana Laws to Prevent Distracted Driving

Legislators have been trying to curb car accidents caused by distracted driving in Indiana for over a decade. Today, several state laws aim to prevent distracted driving from cellphone use, including:

Texting While Driving Ban (Enacted July 1, 2011)

Indiana texting and driving laws were first passed in 2011, prohibiting typing, sending, or reading text messages or emails while driving for all drivers. However, the language of the legislation was too broad to be enforceable.

Hands-Free Driving Law (Effective July 1, 2020)

The Indiana hands-free law closed the 2011 texting loophole, restricting the use of any handheld telecommunication device while driving. Drivers cannot hold or use a handheld mobile device while operating a moving vehicle, unless doing so with hands-free methods such as Bluetooth, speakerphone, or mounted devices.

Restrictions for Young Drivers

Provisions of the Graduated Driver’s License System prohibit Indiana drivers under 18 with probationary licenses from using any telecommunications device while driving, even hands-free.

Enforcement and Penalties

Indiana distracted driving statutes allow for primary enforcement, meaning law officers can pull drivers over solely for using a handheld device. Holding a mobile telecommunication device while driving results in a Class C traffic infraction and a fine.

In 2021, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) began adding points to drivers’ records for breaking the hands-free law in any circumstance other than an emergency.

Legal Implications for Victims Seeking Compensation

Victims of distracted driving accidents have legal avenues to seek compensation for their losses. Under state law, individuals injured due to another driver’s negligence can pursue claims for lost income, medical treatment, pain and suffering, and additional damages.

In cases of egregious conduct, courts may also award punitive damages to prevent similar behavior in the future.

An Indiana distracted driving accident lawyer can investigate and gather evidence that the at-fault driver was engaged in prohibited activities, such as:

• Talking on the phone without a hands-free communication measure (like speakerphone, Bluetooth, or an earpiece)
• Answering or ending calls manually when the vehicle is moving (other than to call 911)
• Streaming audio (such as music or podcasts) without hands-free integration like voice command or CarPlay systems
• Using non-phone devices manually, including tablets and smart watches
• Route navigation on mobile devices—turn-by-turn GPS navigation on Google Maps or Waze—requiring manual input

Contact Our Trusted Car Crash Injury Attorneys

The legal process is often overwhelming and complicated, and victims shouldn’t attempt it alone. At Wilson Kehoe Winingham, we make it easy to consult with trusted personal injury attorneys who guide you every step of the way and advocate on your behalf.

If you need help after an accident, please call us at (317) 920-6400 or contact us for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

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