Distracted Driving Awareness – Costs and Dangers

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness month, and it’s a good time to remind ourselves of the best ways to stay safe on the road. Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents, injuries, and fatalities on our roads. In 2020 there were 3,142 deaths caused by distracted driving according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. Considering these findings, it’s clear that distracted driving poses a risk to everyone on the road. In addition to this deadly toll, accidents that result from distracted driving (and associated medical care and vehicle replacement) also increase the cost of auto insurance for individuals and businesses alike. All of this gives us even more reason to practice safe driving and reduce instances of distracted driving. The Nowell Agency is here to share some common causes of distracted driving and tips on safe driving practices, as well as what kind of auto insurance will protect you in the case of an unfortunate accident.

Types of Distracted Driving that Increase Auto Insurance Rates

Knowledge is power. Awareness of what practices tend to result in accidents can help improve driving skills and the avoidance of such collisions. As we all know, it only takes one fraction of a second for an accident to happen and one ticket to raise the cost of auto insurance. Avoiding these common driving distractions can help keep auto insurance costs low. Experts agree that there are three major types of distractions drivers typically encounter while on the road.

• Manual distractions: Drivers may take their hands off the wheel for any number of distractions such as eating, drinking, holding a phone or personal device, reaching for something, adjusting music, putting on makeup and so forth.
• Visual distractions: This includes anything that causes you to take your eyes off the road. These dangerous distractions could be texting, looking at directions, finding a playlist, enjoying the scenery, and more.
• Mental distractions: When your mind is occupied by your thoughts, you are considered to be cognitively distracted. These distractions can include talking on the phone, thinking about a problem, talking to a passenger, securing a pet or cargo, etc.

Distracted Driving and Auto Insurance Costs for Individuals

While laws and public awareness campaigns have helped to reduce distracted driving in recent years, it remains a serious problem. If you’re worried about being involved in a distracted driving accident, there are steps you can take to help keep yourself and others safe. These tips may seem basic but they are effective!

• Plan your trip before you leave. Program your navigation system prior to hitting the road to get familiar with your journey and feel confident in your route.
• Put away your phone. Silence your phone and store it in an out of reach location.
  Secure passengers and cargo. Ensure every passenger is properly seat belted and situated in the vehicle. Keep pets and belongings securely positioned in the cargo hold.
• Avoid multitasking.
• Set a station or playlist before driving. Select a radio station or plug in a predetermined playlist before driving.
• Stay focused. Keep concentrated on the road, limit conversation, and practice safe driving techniques.
• Get comprehensive auto insurance. This will give you peace of mind in case of an accident, and it will also help you financially if you’re ever in a situation where you need to make a claim.

Besides your health, distracted driving accidents can result in price increases in auto insurance rates in 2022 and beyond. All in all, accident prevention and safe driving best practices can save money and most importantly, lives!

Affordable Auto Insurance 2022

Moral of the story? Get the best auto insurance to protect you for the times that the unexpected occurs. The Nowell Agency is here for you! Give our friendly auto insurance agents a call today and get the personal auto insurance coverage you need. Safe travels!