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With virtually every American owning a cellphone, distracted driving has become a threat on the nation’s roads. Studies say that drivers using phones are four times as likely to cause a crash as other drivers. Yet Americans have largely ignored that research. Device makers and auto companies acknowledge the risks, but they aggressively develop and market gadgets that cause distractions. Police in almost half of all states make no attempt to gather data on the problem. The federal government warns against talking on a cellphone while driving, but no state legislature has banned it.

Through articles, videos and interactive features, The Times has examined the risks of talking and texting behind the wheel. The series also explores the extent of the problem, its origins, and the pressures people feel to stay connected while driving. And the series shows the political, regulatory and scientific dimensions of an issue that has prompted conversations and action across the country, from the Oval Office and statehouses to corporate boardrooms and kitchen tables.