Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Streetsblog California

Introducing: the Streetsblog California Index*

Numbers can really do a number on you

Note: GJEL Accident Attorneys regularly sponsors coverage on Streetsblog San Francisco and Streetsblog California. Unless noted in the story, GJEL Accident Attorneys is not consulted for the content or editorial direction of the sponsored content.

A few seemingly random numbers on traffic safety.

Number of people who die in crashes on U.S. roads every day: 100

Estimated number of people who have died in U.S. crashes caused by speeding since 2016: 10,000

Portion of U.S. traffic fatalities in 2008 that were "non-occupant fatalities"--pedestrians, bicyclists, and others not in the vehicles that crashed: 14%

In 2017: 19%

Portion of surveyed consumers who say that distracted driving is a problem: 85%

Who say they are a "safe driver": 90%

Who admit they use electronic devices while driving often enough to be categorized as "addicted": 47%

Average amount of time more than the average U.S. driver that those people "addicted" to their electronic devices spend driving: 150%

Average number of miles more than the average driver that they drive: 760%

Actual portion of drivers who use their phones while driving at least once per day: 60%

Average number of minutes per hour distracted drivers spend on their phone: 3.5 minutes

How far a car going 55 mph travels in 3.5 minutes: 2.3 miles

California's state rank on list of most distracted driving: 36

Portion of luxury car drivers who cut off pedestrians walking in a crosswalk: 30%

Of drivers of less fancy cars that do: 7%

*with apologies to, and affection for, both Harper's Index and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition's Tube Times, from whom we totally ripped off this idea

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Legislative Update: Our First Comprehensive Look of 2026

Our first comprehensive look as the legislature starts advancing bills.

March 9, 2026

Monday’s Post-Marathon Headlines

Maybe the LA Marathon wouldn't have had to put out that heat advisory and warn everyone about the last eight miles if the city prioritized the pedestrian experience...

March 9, 2026

Deportation is a Transportation Issue

The shared infrastructure of deportation and transportation highlight an ethical dilemma; can we solve it?

March 8, 2026

City Attorney Takes Her Own Swing at Man Sucker Punched by LAPD in 2024

Eleven months after Officer Joshua Sportiello punched Alexander Mitchell in the face, the City Attorney's office filed misdemeanor resisting charges against him. Was it in retaliation for Mitchell's civil suit?

March 6, 2026

Motorist Careens onto North Beach Sidewalk, Killing Pedestrian

Driver kills pedestrian at another location where a safety project festered.

March 6, 2026

The Week in Short Videos

Transit ambassadors, a Waymo crash, and High-Speed Rail.

See all posts