For many people in the United States, driving is the best (or sometimes only) way to travel, but driving a car or truck doesn’t come without risks. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were an estimated 39,345 traffic fatalities in 2024, which is slightly lower than the number of traffic fatalities in 2023 but significantly higher than in 2014.
In September 2025, U.S. News & World Report conducted a survey of 1,500 U.S. drivers, aged 18 and older, to better understand their driving habits. Our research explored various aspects of driving behavior, including experiences with road rage, fatigue, distracted driving, and other unsafe practices. A significant finding revealed that nearly four in 10 (39%) U.S. adult drivers admitted to being involved in a minor fender bender or accident due to a moment of distraction, highlighting the inherent dangers of inattentive driving.