MILLIONS of fans will tune in to Super Bowl LIX from their living rooms this Sunday.
But many will also follow the game from behind the wheel – glancing at their phones for updates, scores, and reactions, turning roads into a danger zone.
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Data from Cambridge Mobile Telematics showed a dangerous trend: while fans enjoyed the game, road safety got worse.
Distracted driving jumped 5% during last year’s Super Bowl compared to the Sundays before and after.
Screen interactions spiked hour by hour as drivers checked their phones, risking crashing in the process.
CMT defines screen interaction as a driver tapping their phone while traveling over 9 miles per hour.
During last year’s Super Bowl, the number of interactions spiked as fans checked scores, shared highlights, and even streamed the game while driving.
CMT’s data showed that on a typical Sunday, drivers spent an average of 2 minutes and 13 seconds per hour distracted.
On Super Bowl Sunday, that remained steady, until kickoff.
During the game, phone use behind the wheel jumped to 2 minutes and 37 seconds per hour.
Even with more phone use during the game, the rest of the day had normal levels of distracted driving.
But those critical hours of increased risk showed how one of the biggest sports events of the year turned highways into a hazard zone.
Phone use while driving started to increase around 6:00 p.m., just before the coin toss, and hit a peak of 2 minutes and 42 seconds per hour by 7:00 p.m.
It remained at that level until 9:00 p.m. before gradually declining.
By 11:00 p.m., as the game ended, distraction rates returned to typical Sunday levels.
The data showed a clear pattern, fans weren’t just watching from home, many were glued to their phones while driving, increasing the risk on the road, CMT stated.
Even a few seconds of distraction can be dangerous, so fans are urged to keep their eyes on the road and not on their phones until they’ve reached their destination.
What defines ‘distracted driving’?
Distracted driving claims lives every year nationwide, and it’s 100% preventable
However, many drivers assume that distracted driving is limited to using their phone while behind the wheel.
While using a phone to text, call, send emails, scroll through or post to social media, and make or accept video calls is illegal nationwide, other behaviors can be just as distracting – and dangerous.
Other behaviors that distract drivers:
- Adjusting the radio or GPS
- Applying makeup in visor mirrors
- Eating and drinking, as it takes one or both hands from the wheel
- Reaching into the backseat to grab personal items
- Rummaging through a purse, glove box, or center console
Thankfully, driving distracted can be prevented. Here are some proven tactics to stay focused:
- Put your phone in “Do Not Disturb” or “Driving Mode,” as it temporarily pauses notifications, but will push a call or text through if urgent
- If distraction is difficult to avoid, put the phone in a safe place, like a purse, glove box, center console, or back seat
- If a text message or call needs to be sent or made, pull over and park
- Give the phone to a passenger when applicable to send a text or make a call
- Be a role model – practicing safe driving in front of impressionable passengers helps pass along safe behaviors
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Connecticut Department of Transportation
DON’T DRINK & DRIVE
Using a phone while driving is dangerous, but getting home safely after Super Bowl Sunday is just as important.
Drunk driving remains a major risk, especially after big events.
In 2022, 13,524 traffic deaths involved alcohol-impaired drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher is illegal, and getting caught can lead to arrest and prosecution.
A DUI charge comes with serious consequences, including jail time and thousands of dollars in fines.
