A stark warning from Discovery Insure CEO Robert Attwell has captured widespread attention: texting while driving has officially overtaken speeding as the leading cause of road accidents among the insurer’s clients.

Speaking on HOT Business with Jeremy Maggs and MoneyWeb, Attwell shared insights drawn from over 20 billion kilometers of data, revealing that even just 20 seconds of phone use while driving can increase accident risk by more than 60%. The findings underscore a seismic shift in driver behavior—one driven by a growing dependence on mobile phones and a widespread underestimation of the dangers involved.

To tackle this crisis, Discovery Insure has launched the #DriveNowTextLater campaign in partnership with BP Southern Africa. The initiative urges South Africans—regardless of whether they’re Discovery clients—to pledge not to use their phones while driving. Participants stand a chance to win a share of R1 million in prizes, and Discovery clients who meet their safe driving targets may earn back up to R1,500 in fuel rebates monthly.

But beyond the incentives lies a deeper mission: cultural change. As Attwell explained, the goal is to make phone use behind the wheel as socially unacceptable as drunk driving—a tall order, but one that starts with awareness and data-driven intervention.

Critically, the problem cuts across all demographics. Young drivers aren’t the only ones distracted; it’s a universal issue. Whether it’s a red light delay or veering attention on a highway, the consequences are felt everywhere.

The message is simple but urgent: no text is worth a life.