Vehicles are getting totaled left and right these days. It’s a grave and rapidly worsening issue that poses significant road hazards. Any action that distracts you from driving can increase the chances of a crash, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These include talking or texting on your cell phone, eating and drinking, conversing with passengers, or adjusting music or navigation systems. Being an independent insurance agent in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, it’s important to know these risks and how they may affect your car insurance rates.
Here’s a list of vehicles most likely to be totaled:
- Ford Mustang: It was involved in over 4,500 accidents last year, with 14.6% of them being totaled.
- Ford Focus: It was involved in over 13,000 accidents last year and 14.5% were totaled.
- Chevy Silverado: It was involved in over 5,000, with 14.5% totaled.
- Dodge Challenger: The Challenger was involved in over 4,000 accidents last year, with 14.2% totaled.
- Ford Fusion: It was involved in over 15,500 accidents last year, and 14.1% were totaled.
How many people are injured by accidents? Last year alone, 290,000 were injured due to accidents caused by people focused on their mobile phones. In 2022, distracted driving was the cause of 8% (or about 3,308) of fatal accidents. In nine years, more than 32,000 people have died as a result of distracted driving.
Texting while driving is one extremely alarming habit that many drivers engage in. As NHTSA points out, sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds. At 55 miles-per-hour you could cover a whole football field length with eyes closed within that five second period. The implications of distracted driving go far beyond risking lives, but can also have serious financial consequences too. As your local insurance agent in Wheat Ridge, it’s my responsibility to make you aware of how these actions could affect your auto insurances costs.
The NHTSA provides some recommendations for safer driving:
- Pull over into safe place and park your car before you send a text if that’s what you need to do. Distracted driving isn’t limited to texting alone–this includes scrolling through social media or using videochat.
- If there’s somebody traveling with you, ask them to handle calls or messages on your behalf as you focus on driving.
- Switch on the “Do Not Disturb” mode on your phone, keep it on silent, or put it in an inaccessible location so you’re not tempted to check while on the road.
- When you notice a driver who’s distracted while in a vehicle, say something if you are a passenger. They should be asked to put their phone away and concentrate on driving.
Every state in America has its own set of rules when it comes to distracted driving, but the NHTSA plays an instrumental role in promoting safe driving practices. Based on regional needs, federal resources are invested into local strategies such as Distracted Driving Awareness Month held every April. This initiative includes nationwide advertising campaigns and law enforcement activity called, “Put the Phone Away or Pay,” which is aimed at minimizing the risks associated with distracted driving.
Educating customers about minimizing distractions while behind the wheel is essential for any insurance agent in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Apart from reducing accident risk exposure this can also ensure car insurance premiums don’t skyrocket.
In fact, you may get paid by your insurance carriers to minimize distractions. Most carriers will offer some type of telematics program that keeps track of your driving habits. So, the less you use your phone while driving, the more money you save on your insurance premiums. Ask us about these programs the next time you call in!
