When you answer a text or take a call while driving, you might not equate it to driving home tipsy or otherwise impaired. However, the statistics prove that distracted driving is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you have questions on how distracted driving can impact your insurance eligibility in Ball Ground, GA, the insurance professionals at The Sanford Group can help. In the meantime, here are some sobering statistics and valuable information on how to prevent distracted driving.
The Facts and Stats
Mobile devices are convenient and popular inventions that help you stay connected to friends, family and clients. However, using them while driving can result in an accident or worse. The most recent statistics paint a grim picture of injuries and deaths that are 100 percent preventable.
Every day, nine people die and over 1,000 are injured in incidents where at least one of the drivers is distracted, according to the CDC.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 3,477 deaths and about 391,000 injuries in 2015 crashes involving distracted driving. Further, the NHTSA stated that 660,000 drivers use cell phones and other electronic devices behind the wheel.
Handheld cell phone use is highest among 16-24-year-olds, per the National Occupant Protection Use Survey.
What You Can Do
If your teen or young adult children are new drivers prone to texting while driving, give them a clear message that this is not a safe practice.
For young drivers preparing for their driver’s text and exam, candidly discuss what can happen if they look away from the road for even a few seconds. Make it clear it’s not just their life, but someone else’s that could be at stake.
More importantly, lead by example. It hardly sends the right message if you’re texting behind the wheel while cautioning them not to.
Georgia Law
While some states have an outright ban on cell phone usage while driving, Georgia law takes a looser stance. It does restrict the use of cell phones for new drivers as well as school bus drivers.
Contact agents at The Sanford Group in Ball Ground, GA with any questions you may have on auto insurance or to schedule an appointment for a quote.
