According to the AAA Foundation and a study conducted by Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute, taking your eyes off the road for more than two seconds doubles your risk of a crash. And while distracted driving has entered the national discussion because of the dangers of using a cellphone while driving, there are many other forms of distracted driving that pose great risk to everyone on the road.
What is Distracted Driving?
A distraction is anything that takes a driver’s attention off the act of driving. This can cause a driver to miss crucial events and objects, or to lose control of the vehicle, potentially leading to a crash. This not only puts the driver and their passengers at risk, but also everyone else on the road.
Any activity that causes a driver to do at least one of these three things is distracted driving:
- Eyes off the Road
- Hands off the Wheel
- Mind off Driving
While cell phone usage gets most of the blame for distracted driving accidents, and rightfully so, there are other factors that have contributed to the increase. Advanced entertainment technology in new cars means you may be messing with your console and taking your eyes off the road. And other activities that people have done in their cars for years, such as eating, shaving or putting on makeup, are still around.
While different activities create differing levels of distraction, any amount of distraction can lead to grave consequences.
Why Does it Matter?
Beyond the obvious issues of injuries to yourself, to others, or to property, distracted driving has a huge effect on car insurance rates. There is a direct relationship between more accidents and higher rates, as car insurance companies must pay out more and more money for accidents caused by distracted drivers. It’s simple, the added cost is handed down to all policyholders.
Additionally, cars today are just more expensive to fix. All the new technology means car insurance companies must pay more to make your car right after an accident. And traffic accidents inevitably lead to medical bills and lawsuits. These are two areas of the economy that have seen their own enormous rise in costs, which are now reflected in your auto insurance rates.
So, the bottom line is focus on your driving. If everyone does the same, accidents will go down and so will your car insurance premiums.
If you think your auto insurance is too high, it might be time to get a quote. Use the InsuranceWins fast and easy form to shop around and make sure you are getting the best rate for the coverage you need
