Driver distraction is a leading cause of vehicle accidents. Nearly 80% of vehicle crashes involve driver inattention, according to research conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

Eating and drinking, talking to a fellow passenger, applying makeup, programming a GPS or navigation system, or simply adjusting the radio all qualify as distracted driving. But using a cellphone while behind the wheel is undoubtedly the biggest cause.

According to a study conducted by Cambridge Metrics Telematics (CMT) last year, phone distraction occurred in 52% of trips that resulted in a crash—an unsurprising statistic considering that same study found that 75% of drivers see other drivers on their phones every day.

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The overall insurance industry has observed a dramatic spike in fatalities on the road because of distracted driving in the last couple of years. It’s getting industry attention!

According to the latest annual Risk Index, 40% of drivers polled admitted they have been involved in an accident or almost caused an accident because of their own distracted driving. Those numbers are self-reported, of course but people are saying that they’re doing this more and more.

And the increase is making everyone nervous: 63% of drivers are more afraid of distracted drivers than drunk drivers, according to the CMT study.

Because of national education campaigns and law enforcement, drunk driving is both socially stigmatized and punishable with hefty fines, disqualification and imprisonment. In 2018, however, the same cannot be said about distracted driving.

According to Sam Madden, chief scientist, CMT, there is no doubt about the source of the first rise in road fatalities the insurance industry has noticed in a long time. “We see alcohol-related deaths are down, the educational campaigns around alcohol are working, and yet the number of fatalities is going up for the first time,” he says. “We certainly believe that’s a result of distracted driving.”

Penalties for distracted driving vary by state. Most levy fines under $400, while five states do not have any laws against it at all. And if law enforcement isn’t going to put the brakes on distracted driving, the insurance industry may step forward to be at the forefront of raising this as an issue.

Since April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, here are three ways that can possibly help in kicking this growing distracted driving issue to the curb:

Education. Few drivers are aware that texting while driving at 55 mph is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. In an effort to change people’s attitudes about the dangers of distracted driving, the Travelers Institute® Every Second Matters initiative provides statistics, conversations starters and quizzes that insurance professionals can share with their clients. The campaign is focused on the social norm—to change people’s awareness and to say that this really is not OK.   It’s obvious that it’s just not OK to text your way all the way to work or always be on the phone while you’re in the car.

“This is not a problem that is just going to go away on its own,” Madden agrees. “As a society, we just have to accept that it is not OK for thousands of young people to die every year because of smartphones. We have to make people aware of it.”

Technology. Paradoxically, on the same device that facilitates most distracted driving, apps are becoming available that help drivers educate themselves about the amount of time they spend distracted when they’re behind the wheel—data which insurers can also incorporate into rating tools.

CMT’s DriveWell app does exactly that. “When you put this app in peoples’ hands, it makes them realize that they actually are engaging in distracted driving,” Madden says. “Results show that within a couple weeks, people reduce distracted driving behavior by 30% or more on average.”

Employers. One of the most common reasons drivers use their cellphones while driving is due to work. According to some insurance companies, 43% of employed American adults who drive admit to making work-related communications such as emails and calls while driving. And 27% say their boss has called or texted them even though they knew they were driving.

In a survey, only 27% of commercial clients reported having a formal policy on distracted driving that was strictly enforced.

At Benton White Insurance, we have been concerned about his issue for several years and have brought attention to it with our customers and our social media readers.  We are seeing locally the impact of distracted driving.  Auto insurance rates have already begun to increase slightly because of the additional claims we are all seeing from distracted driving.  We URGE you to drive when you drive and do nothing else.  The odds aren’t in your favor to do it any other way.

Great companies, great service and nearly 50 years of combined insurance experience makes us one of the top agencies in this area and we’re ready to help you with your insurance!  Feel free to EMAIL us at info@BentonWhite.com or TEXT or CALL – 615.377.1212.  We’re always ready to earn your business!

Portions of this article was presented by Will Jones, IAMagazine.com – March, 2018.