Originally published in the 2026 Second Quarter Guardian, Pages 31- 37

• Distracted driving is killing drivers—and CMV operations are uniquely exposed.
• Staggering data and case studies show phones, fatigue and in‑cab tasks multiply crash risk for professional drivers.
• Learn which enforcement campaigns, fleet policies and emerging AI/telematics actually reduce incidents.
• Actionable strategies for carriers: tech, training and culture changes that cut liability, downtime and insurance costs.
• Read on for evidence, enforcement results and practical implementation steps.

Estimated read time: 10 minutes.

In 2018, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a 28-year-old semitruck driver was using his cellphone to research houses for sale – while driving. He looked at his phone for eight seconds while going 63 miles per hour, traveling a distance of about 740 feet, as far as the Golden Gate Bridge is tall. While distracted by his research, he slammed into a passenger vehicle and killed the occupant, who was a husband, father and local professor. The driver was sentenced to one year in jail, 10 years of probation and a suspended commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Distracted driving isn’t always this extreme. And part of what makes it so dangerous is that it is so commonplace. Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and passenger vehicle drivers alike are often distracted by things like changing music, helping little passengers in the back seat, unwrapping a fast-food burger, rubbernecking at a crash or sending a “quick text.” And often, nothing bad happens. Maybe you get too close to the person in front of you and have to apply your brakes a little more forcefully than normal. Maybe you get a spike of adrenaline, put down your phone and vow to pay more attention next time. But just because it happens frequently and to nearly everyone who has driven a vehicle doesn’t mean that distracted driving is something society must accept instead of solve.

What Is Distracted Driving?

While there are various definitions of distracted driving from different safety-focused agencies, it is commonly defined as a driver’s attention being diverted from driving

by a secondary task that requires focusing on an object, event or person not related to the driving task. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Transport Canada provide examples of distracting activities, such as talking or texting on your phone; eating or drinking; talking to people in your vehicle; or fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system.

Let’s take a look at recent studies on distracted driving across all vehicle types and CMVs specifically.

• According to NHTSA, distracted driving (all vehicle types) claimed 3,275 lives in 2023, and an additional 289,310 people were injured.
• In 2022, distracted driving (all vehicle types) was a contributing factor in 19.9% of fatal collisions in Canada.
• Drivers who use their phone behind the wheel (all vehicle types) are 240% more likely to crash, according to a 2025 study by the Governors Highway Safety Association.
• 22.4% of drivers in Mexico (all vehicle types) admitted to using a handheld cellphone while driving, even though 96.8% of those surveyed identified this as a high risk behavior, according to a study titled “It’s okay because I’m just driving”: an exploration of self-reported mobile phone use among Mexican drivers.
• A 2009 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) study found that 71% of large-truck crashes occurred when the truck driver was doing something other than driving.
• A 2021 study by Omnitracks found that truck drivers who are distracted by mobile phones are three times more likely to exceed the speed limit by 10+ miles per hour.
• An FMCSA and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) study showed that, compared to personal motorists, CMV drivers are 23 times more likely to cause a crash while texting at the wheel, seven times more likely when reaching for an electronic device and six times more likely when dialing a phone.
• According to the FMCSA Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts report, in 2021, distraction or inattention was the second most common large truck driver-related crash factor, accounting for 278 fatal crashes.

Distracted driving can be deadly, and it’s clear that this problem runs deep in our society. There is some good news, though. Between government agencies, nonprofit organizations like CVSA, researchers and the motor carrier industry, many parties are committed to getting to the bottom of the problem of distracted CMV driving and promoting safety, preventing crashes and saving lives. Agencies are embracing creative enforcement campaigns and partnerships to curb device use behind the wheel, while carriers are turning to telematics and in-cab monitoring to address the problem from within and as part of ongoing training.

Types and Sources of Distractions

Distractions are everywhere, and they can come from inside or outside the cab. Distractions outside the cab can include looking at a passing building, billboard or person. A three-year data-collection effort by FMCSA and NHTSA found that an estimated 11,000 U.S. large-truck crashes involved distractions external to the truck cab.

Distractions inside the cab can include dialing cellphones, texting, using dispatching devices, eating, reaching for items in the cab, reading or adjusting the radio. When you get down to it, anything that takes the driver away from the driving task is a distraction.

TYPES OF DISTRACTION:

Visual Distraction – Not looking at the road or other vehicles while driving

Cognitive Distraction – Mental attention not focused on driving

Manual Distraction – Removing hands from the steering wheel to reach for a

cellphone, food/drink, etc.

Delayed Reaction – Not being able to stop in time to avoid a collision due to distractions

A 2006 study found that driver inattention was the leading factor in crashes and near-crashes.  The study found that nearly 80% of crashes involved some form of driver inattention in the three seconds before the crash or near-crash.

Texting while driving is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving because it combines visual, manual and cognitive distractions all at once. A 2006 University of Utah study shows that the impairments associated with using a cellphone while driving can be as profound as those associated with driving while impaired.

Enforcement Tactics and Outreach

CVSA addresses unsafe CMV driver behaviors through its Operation Safe Driver program by educating all drivers on how to share the road safely. This program focuses specifically on drivers because drivers’ actions – whether it’s something a driver does, like speeding, or something they don’t do, such as not paying attention to the driving task – are responsible for most crashes. In fact, drivers’ actions account for a staggering 94% of all traffic crashes. However, research from the University of Missouri-Columbia has shown that interactions with law enforcement do alter drivers’ actions.

The focus of CVSA’s 2025 Operation Safe Driver Week was reckless/careless/inattentive driving. Any person who drives a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is driving recklessly. Careless/ dangerous driving is defined as operating a vehicle without due care and attention or reasonable consideration for other motorists or people on the road. From July 13-19, 2025, officers/inspectors in the U.S. and Canada gave 12 citations and 47 warnings to CMV drivers for reckless/careless/inattentive driving. And CMV drivers received 107 warnings and 79 tickets/ citations for texting/using a handheld device while operating a CMV. View the full results of the campaign: https://cvsa.org/news/2025-osd-week-results/.

In addition to traffic stops, another important aspect of the Operation Safe Driver Week initiative is raising public awareness of the dangers of unsafe driving behaviors. In the months leading up to Operation Safe Driver Week, CVSA mailed nearly 70,000 postcards to inspectors and motor carriers for distribution and worked with the Paramount/CBS network to distribute public service announcements focused on safe driving, delivering more than 15 million campaign impressions.

Notable enforcement outreach included:

• The Colorado State Patrol conducted distracted driving awareness discussions and included distracted driving handouts with applicable inspections.
• The Florida Highway Patrol conducted educational outreach at a FedEx distribution center, reaching 30 professional drivers. The discussion topics included driver safety, distracted driving, cellphone usage, safety belt compliance, pre-trip inspections, speeding and a demonstration of a Level II Inspection.
• The Hawaii Department of Transportation conducted safe driver outreach, including distributing safety brochures; discussing the dangers of speeding, distracted driving and aggressive driving; and handing out lanyards and mini first-aid kits.

In addition to targeted enforcement and outreach initiatives, local/state/provincial/ territorial agencies make distracted driving education a priority throughout the year. Officers and inspectors conduct outreach focused on distracted driving and cellphone use during individual inspections and educational/community events with motor carriers, high schools, driving schools and other organizations. Their efforts ensure distracted driving awareness and prevention are priorities discussed and addressed year-round.

Emerging Technologies

Motor carriers are embracing emerging technology to gather data, recognize patterns, provide driver alerts and interrupt distraction before crashes occur. This includes AI-powered, driver-facing cameras that detect phone use or fatigue. These systems, combined with telematics and advanced driver-assistance systems, provide real-time alerts and data for driver coaching.

• AI-Powered Dash Cameras: AI dashcams are advanced vehicle cameras that use artificial intelligence to analyze road conditions and driver behavior in real time, enhancing safety through proactive alerts. They typically feature dual-facing cameras (road and cabin) to detect risks, such as drowsiness, tailgating and cellphone use, often connecting to cloud services for fleet management and video evidence. They can also detect when a driver's eyes are off the road, when they are looking at a phone or when they exhibit signs of fatigue. They can trigger immediate, in-cab audio alerts and record events for coaching.
• Telematics and Driver Monitoring: Telematics and driver monitoring systems combine GPS, onboard diagnostics and sensors to track vehicle location and driving behavior in real time. These systems, which may integrate with AI-powered dashcams, enhance safety by identifying risks like speeding, erratic steering, tailgating, and harsh acceleration and braking, which often correlate with distractions.
• Coaching and Behavior Analytics: Data from cameras and sensors allow managers to identify high-risk drivers, offering targeted training to improve safety habits. In addition, these systems can provide real-time, audible alerts to the driver, often using voice coaching to correct behavior immediately rather than just recording it.
• Forward Collision Mitigation: These systems use cameras and sensors to monitor the road and issue warnings when a driver is following too closely, a risk often caused by inattention.
• Predictive Fatigue Monitoring: Beyond detecting closed eyes, new technology uses wearable sensors and smartphone-based tests to measure driver alertness. Some systems analyze hours-of-service logs to create a "fatigue score" that updates every 15 minutes, allowing managers to intervene before safety is compromised.
• Mobile Device-Blocking Technology: While “do not disturb” and “driving mode” functions have existed for quite some time and can be toggled on and off by the user, mobile device-blocking technology does not require user cooperation. These solutions actively prevent the use of apps, texting and calling while the vehicle is in motion, while often allowing for emergency calls. The mandatory use of this technology has been highly controversial due to debates over safety, privacy, personal freedom and effectiveness.

Carrier-Led Prevention

Technology alone cannot ensure safe, distraction-free driving. Technology is best combined with a culture of safety – going beyond compliance – to tackle distracted driving from many angles.

Motor carriers are combining AI and telematics technology with clear policies, training, behavior-based safety programs and safe-driving incentives to create a safety culture and tackle distracted driving.

• Clear Policies: A successful distracted driving policy starts with transparent expectations for driver behavior and clear consequences for violations. Policies may include:
  • Zero Tolerance Policy: Drivers are prohibited from using handheld phones or devices for texting or calling while the vehicle is in motion, in compliance with regulations.
  • In-Cab Technology Limits: GPS devices and other technology should be voiceactivated or programmed before driving to minimize distractions.
  • Fatigue Management Programs: Fatigue is often a cause of cognitive distraction. Encourage breaks, enforce compliance with hour-of-service rules and implement policies that promote rest.
  • Penalties for Violations: Specify that violations of the distracted driving policy will result in disciplinary actions, ranging from warnings to termination, depending on the severity of the violation. 
• Training and Behavior-Based Safety Programs: Distracted driving information is a part of entry-level CDL courses, but onetime training is not enough to maintain safe driving practices. Effective, safety-focused motor carriers require ongoing training. This training can include:
  • Annual Training Sessions: Review policies, share new statistics and reinforce hands free technologies.
  • Scenario-Based Training: Share real world examples, like in-cab videos and simulations, that demonstrate the dangers of distracted driving.
  • Driver Coaching: Incorporate telematics data for individualized feedback; schedule one-on-one coaching sessions to address issues.
• Safe Driving Incentives: Reward drivers who adhere to policies, complete training and hit safety goals with safety bonuses or recognition programs.

In addition to improving safety, a comprehensive anti-distraction program benefits a motor carrier’s bottom line, too. For regulated motor carriers, the consequences of distracted driving are severe. Crashes and violations can lead to:

• Increased Insurance Premiums and Legal Liability: Insurance companies often raise premiums for companies with high crash rates and/or poor safety metrics. Lawsuits stemming from crashes caused by distracted driving can cost millions in settlements or judgments.
• Regulatory Fines: Violating FMCSA rules on mobile device use can lead to fines of up to $2,750 for drivers and up to $11,000 for employers, in addition to driver disqualification.
• Operational Disruption and Reputational Damage: Crashes and roadside violations can lead to vehicle downtime, delays in deliveries and damage to client relationships.