But while millions are glued to their screens at home, too many drivers are glued to their phones behind the wheel.
How does one of the biggest cultural spectacles of the year impact road safety?
A fresh analysis from CMT takes a deep dive into distracted driving trends on Super Bowl Sunday 2024, tracking driver screen interactions on an hourly basis. By comparing the data to the two Sundays before and after the big game, a troubling trend emerges: distracted driving surged by 5% during the broadcast.
CMT defines “screen interaction” as any instance where a driver taps their phone while moving at speeds above 9 mph. In other words, moments when attention should be on the road—but isn’t.
Why did distraction spike? The reasons are as varied as the Super Bowl’s audience. Some drivers may have been texting reactions to the game’s biggest plays. Others might have checked the score, rewatched a viral ad, or scrolled through the latest gossip about Travis and Taylor. Some may have even streamed the game live while driving—an alarming thought, but not surprising given that 7.6% of Americans admit to using ESPN while behind the wheel in the past month.
This flood of notifications, messages, and breaking news creates the perfect storm for increased phone use on the road.
However, outside of the game itself, Super Bowl Sunday looked much like any other Sunday in terms of distracted driving. Typically, drivers spend an average of 2 minutes and 13 seconds per hour interacting with their screens on a regular Sunday. That pattern held steady on Super Bowl Sunday—except during the game window.
In fact, up until 5:00 p.m., distraction levels on Super Bowl Sunday were identical to any other Sunday. But once the pregame buzz kicked in, phone use began to climb. During the game, drivers spent an average of 2 minutes and 37 seconds per hour on their phones—higher than the usual Sunday baseline.
And the timing of this increase? It perfectly mirrored the game’s major moments.
On Super Bowl Sunday 2024, distracted driving rates began creeping upward at 6:00 p.m. and stayed elevated until 11:00 p.m. Kickoff was at 6:30 p.m., with the coin toss just before. Between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., distraction already ticked up by 2%. By 7:00 p.m., it hit its peak—drivers spent an average of 2 minutes and 42 seconds per hour on their phones. This heightened distraction level remained steady until 9:00 p.m., before gradually tapering off. By 11:00 p.m., as the final whistle blew and the post-game celebrations (or heartbreaks) set in, distracted driving rates returned to normal Sunday levels.
Be the Real MVP
As millions of fans across the country gear up to watch the Chiefs and Eagles battle for glory—Will Kansas City pull off the elusive three-peat? Can Philly reclaim the Lombardi Trophy?—there’s one thing that’s certain: roads will be riskier.
This year, don’t let the game distract you from what truly matters. Whether you’re heading to a watch party, driving home after the halftime show, or simply out and about during the game, stay focused on the road. Keep your phone down, your eyes up, and be the MVP of safety.
Because no highlight, no touchdown, and no viral moment is worth risking a life.