Did you know that there is a ban on texting and driving in 47 states plus DC? And that fines can range from $75 to $400? In 2016, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration estimated that 3,450 people lost their lives due to a text message, and an additional 391,000 were injured. That’s a lot of accidents, right?
The fact is, those numbers are widely considered to be an underestimate. The National Safety Council found that the assessment is only half of what it should have been. The NHTSA simply isn’t logging distracted driving incidents into the system. And yet, even with this glaringly obvious factor, they still can’t explain why accident occurrences have been skyrocketing for the last five years. The answer is simple: distracted driving is extremely dangerous. So, let’s take a minute to better understand distracted driving and figure out a few ways to beat it.
Using your phone while driving isn’t the only form of distracted driving, just the most common. Distracted driving encompasses anything that can take your eyes off the road. That includes doing your makeup, switching through radio stations, or eating behind the wheel. There are three different types of distractions – Visual, Manual, and Cognitive.
There are many ways to take distracted driving head-on that don’t require sheer willpower. Preparation goes a long way: eat before a trip or while stationary, put your music and your GPS on before you go, and store your phone in the glove compartment. If it is absolutely necessary to have your phone out, download an App to help you stay focused on the road. There are many that will limit your phone to calls, GPS, and music.
One such App is LifeSaver. Distracted driving is a growing epidemic, and Good2Go Auto Insurance wants to help keep you on the road, so we have partnered with LifeSaver to help you stay safe. You can receive a discount on your policy by using LifeSaver, so visit www.good2go.com to learn more and to get a free, no-obligation quote for low-cost, minimum limits auto insurance that can keep you driving legal for less.
https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/distracted_driving/index.html
https://www.personalinjurysandiego.org/topics/facts-about-texting-driving/