At any given daytime moment, 660,000 Americans are using cell phones while driving.
Distracted driving is out-of control. Education, legislation, and enforcement don’t seem to be having a big enough impact. Most drivers understand that distracted driving is dangerous, but just don’t believe their own behavior contributes to the problem. The problem is worse with younger drivers, but it is prevalent across all age brackets.
We’re all paying for it in terms of higher auto insurance costs. While other things like more expensive technology, lower gas prices leading to more cars on the road, and the cost of medical care are impacting auto insurance premiums, the biggest culprit relative to rising auto insurance premiums is distracted driving.
The statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the AAA Foundation for Safety are alarming:
- 11 teens die each day as a result of texting while driving
- 1 out of 4 car accidents in the U.S. is caused by texting while driving
- Texting while driving is 6 times more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk
- In 2015, 3,477 people were killed as the result of distracted driving
- 21% of teens involved in fatal accidents were distracted by their cell phones.
We all have control over turning this epidemic around. Please visit End Distracted Driving to learn how to be part of the solution.
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