Travelers Cos. released its annual survey on the leading causes of distracted driving in the face of an alarming reality: more than 46,000 people died in preventable traffic crashes in the United States in 2022.

That’s up 9% from 2020, according to the National Safety Council, when the pandemic tightened its grip.

Chris Hayes, assistant vice president of workers compensation and transportation, risk control at the property-casualty insurance giant, said debate abounds about the role played by the pandemic in the rise in traffic fatalities and why distracted driving is increasing.

One theory gaining traction is that in the early days of the pandemic roadways were relatively deserted as people worked at home. That gave drivers the freedom to take more chances with their vehicles -- driving faster and while doing so, using their cell phones for everything from checking Facebook to taking photos and even shopping, Hayes said.