New Mexico leads the nation in distracted driving deaths
Distracted drivers are 240 percent more likely than other drivers to cause a car accident, according to a recent traffic safety study by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), which also offered suggestions for preventing such crashes in the future.
“This is an action plan to prevent crashes – not just respond to them,” GHSA Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Adkins said in a recent statement. “We have the tools to save thousands of lives. What we need now is action."
Why is distracted driving so dangerous?
Distracted driving – which can include texting while driving, using a cellphone while driving, or other distracting behavior – is extremely dangerous:
- Visual distraction – Not looking at the road or other vehicles while driving, which can be very dangerous, especially at high speeds.
- Cognitive distraction – Attention is not focused on driving, which can result in a collision if there’s another car on the road.
- Manual distraction – Drivers often take their hands off the steering wheel while using a cellphone.
- Delayed reaction – Not being able to stop in time to avoid a collision because the distracted driver doesn’t see other vehicles.
It only takes a split second of inattention for a distracted driver to cause a rear-end accident or another serious collision. That’s why distracted driving is so dangerous and why there are so many state and federal laws designed to prevent these types of crashes.
Are distracted driving crashes common?
Sadly, yes. And in recent years, distracted driving accidents have only gotten worse. In 2023, distracted drivers nationwide caused collisions that resulted in 3,275 deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
And in the past 10 years, drivers using handheld electronic devices have increased by 36 percent – from 2.2 percent in 2014 to 3 percent in 2023, according to distracted driving data collected by the National Safety Council (NSC).
How bad is distracted driving in New Mexico?
Unfortunately, distracted driving accidents are extremely common in New Mexico. In fact, New Mexico has the most distracted driving accidents in the country, according to a Zutobi study.
In 2023, New Mexico distracted drivers caused 163 traffic deaths, which accounted for 37 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities statewide, according to Zutobi, based on accident data collected by the NHTSA.
New Mexico also had a record-high number of car accident fatalities due to distracted drivers, based on the state’s population. For every 100,000 drivers in New Mexico, there were 10.58 distracted driving fatalities in 2023, the highest rate of any state in the country, Zutobi reported.
What are New Mexico’s distracted driving laws?
New Mexico has many laws in place to prevent distracted driving, especially regarding cellphone use. Many of these rules and regulations can be found in New Mexico Statute 66-7-374 (2024) and include:
- Reading, sending, or typing a text message while driving is illegal.
- Using a handheld cellphone to talk or text while driving is against the law for intermediate and provisional driver’s license holders.
- Using a cellphone while driving is against the law, even when stopped at a red light.
What can be done to prevent distracted driving?
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), reducing distracted driving takes more than awareness. It requires action from every level of society. In New Mexico, that means drivers, employers, lawmakers, and law enforcement each need to play a part in making the state’s roads safer.
Some of the most effective ways to reduce distracted driving include:
- Stronger enforcement – Consistent citations and visible patrols remind drivers that texting or scrolling while driving has real consequences.
- Driver education – Programs in schools and community centers can help new drivers understand how quickly distraction leads to danger.
- Employer responsibility – Businesses can adopt phone-free driving policies for employees who travel for work.
- Safer technology – Built-in “drive mode” settings and apps that silence alerts make it easier to focus on the road.
- Public outreach – Collaboration between local law enforcement, transportation agencies, and safety organizations strengthens prevention efforts statewide.
“This is a call for government, community, and corporate leaders to work together to help us move boldly into a new era of road safety,” GHSA Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Adkins said.
As GHSA notes, no notification or text message is worth a crash. Staying focused on the road is one of the simplest and most effective ways to save lives on New Mexico highways – from Albuquerque to Las Cruces to the open roads near Santa Fe.
Why should I hire a Santa Fe distracted driving accident attorney?
At Szantho Law Firm, P.C., we’ve seen firsthand what happens when a single text takes a life. That's why our law firm fights for New Mexico families dealing with the aftermath of distracted driving crashes, uncovering the truth and pursuing maximum compensation for those left to rebuild.
Personal injury claims involving distracted drivers can turn into complex legal cases. Sometimes, it’s because the at-fault driver denies fault. Other times, it’s the insurance companies that are the problem.
Whatever the circumstances of your case, give your accident claim or lawsuit the best opportunity for success. Attorney Andras Szantho and his dedicated legal team can help you demand the maximum compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses.
Learn more about how we can help you. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with a New Mexico distracted driving accident attorney determined to win. Our law firm has offices in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Best of all, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you only pay us if we obtain a financial settlement or verdict for you.
“The Szantho Law Firm handled my case professionally and aggressively and made sure that my insurance company was held accountable. Due to Mr. Szantho's aggressive and spirited representation, my insurance company gave a settlement that I was very happy with. Mr. Szantho also made sure that my medical bills were paid and dealt directly with my medical providers. I was extremely happy with the representation that I received with the Szantho Law Firm, and I would highly recommend the Szantho Law Firm to anyone who has been injured in a car accident.” – J. Martinez, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐