Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of road fatalities, and Ireland is no exception. According to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), driver distraction contributes to a significant number of accidents annually. Whether on city streets or rural roads, you can often spot drivers using their phones at traffic lights, on motorways, and even near schools and residential areas. It happens everywhere.
However, drivers in Ireland are not all exposed to the same level of risk when it comes to distracted driving. The risk fluctuates depending on the time of day, the season, and especially the region where you drive.
For instance, in 2023, County Leitrim recorded the lowest levels of driver distraction, with motorists using their phones for an average of 1 minute and 10 seconds per driving hour. On the other hand, Dublin had the highest levels, with drivers distracted by their phones for 2 minutes and 15 seconds per hour — longer than a typical TV ad break. This means that drivers in Dublin were 18% more likely to be involved in a fatal crash caused by distracted driving than those in Leitrim last year.
From a regional perspective, drivers in counties in the eastern part of Ireland, such as Dublin, Kildare, and Meath, are among the most distracted. They spent an average of 2 minutes and 7 seconds per driving hour distracted — 25% higher than the national average.
Mapping the most distracted counties
So, which counties in Ireland are the most distracted?
To determine this, you need to measure phone distraction on a large scale. Data gathered from mobile phones and road safety apps help identify risky behaviour from thousands of drivers, including screen interaction, phone movement, and both handheld and hands-free calls. For this analysis, we focus on “phone motion” — when drivers physically handle their phones with the screen active.
The results show a significant gap between the top ten best and worst counties for distracted driving. In 2023, the least distracted counties saw 1 minute and 20 seconds of distraction per driving hour, while the riskiest counties experienced 52% more distraction, reaching 2 minutes and 2 seconds per driving hour. This means the 2.5 million people living in the ten worst counties for distracted driving faced an 8% higher chance of being injured or killed in a crash caused by distraction.
Let’s take a look at the ten worst counties for distracted driving in Ireland:
#1 – Dublin – 02:15
Dublin is the most distracted county in Ireland, with distraction levels 35% above the national average. If Dublin were to reduce its distraction levels to the national average of 1 minute and 30 seconds per hour, it could prevent approximately 1,100 crashes, 600 injuries, 5 fatalities, and save €45 million in economic damages annually.
#2 – Cork – 02:10
Cork ranks second, with an average of 2 minutes and 10 seconds of distraction per driving hour, 30% higher than the national average. Reducing distraction in Cork to national levels could prevent 2,800 crashes, 1,500 injuries, 12 fatalities, and save €100 million in economic costs every year.
#3 – Galway – 02:05
Drivers in Galway are distracted for an average of 2 minutes and 5 seconds per hour. If the county reduced its distraction levels to the national average, it could prevent 1,600 crashes, 900 injuries, 7 fatalities, and save around €70 million annually.
#4 & #5 – Kildare and Meath – 02:04
Counties Kildare and Meath follow closely with 2 minutes and 4 seconds of distraction per driving hour. Reducing distraction to national averages would save nearly 60 lives per year and prevent economic losses exceeding €120 million.
#6 – Limerick – 02:00
With an average of 2 minutes of distraction per hour, Limerick could reduce accidents by 5%, preventing approximately 1,100 crashes, 600 injuries, 5 deaths, and saving €50 million annually.
#7 – Kerry – 01:58
Drivers in Kerry are about 15% more distracted than their southern neighbours. Reducing distraction levels to match national averages could prevent 1,200 crashes and save 5 lives annually.
#8 – Wicklow – 01:55
Wicklow sees similar distraction levels to Kerry. A 20% reduction in distractions could prevent approximately 600 crashes, 3 deaths, and reduce economic losses by €40 million annually.
#9 – Louth – 01:53
Drivers in Louth average 1 minute and 53 seconds of distraction per hour, slightly above the national average. Reducing distraction could prevent 500 crashes each year and save 2 lives.
#10 – Donegal – 01:50
Donegal rounds out the top ten most distracted counties, with an average of 1 minute and 50 seconds of distraction per driving hour. If Donegal reduced its distraction levels to the national average, it could prevent 400 crashes and save €20 million annually.
Reducing distraction to save lives
By better understanding what distraction looks like in each county and the impact it has on road accidents, authorities can create more targeted interventions, implement safe driving programmes, and make infrastructure changes that would keep drivers safer, ultimately saving lives and reducing economic losses.
