• Free Quote
  • Personal
  • Business
  • Life & Health
  • Church & Non-Profit
  • File A Claim
  • Make A Payment
Oberle Logo
 
(636) 391-0700
  • Home
  • Employee Directory
  • Business
    • Business Lines
    • BOP Insurance
    • Business Insurance
    • Commercial Auto
    • Contractor Insurance
    • Cyber Liability Insurance
    • Daycare Insurance
    • Farm Insurance
    • General Liability
    • In-Home Business
    • Workers Compensation Insurance
  • Church & Non-Profit
    • Specialty Lines
    • Church Insurance
    • Non-Profit Insurance
  • Personal
    • Personal Lines
    • Auto Insurance
    • Condo Insurance
    • Flood Insurance
    • Homeowners Insurance
    • Jewelry Insurance
    • Motorcycle Insurance
    • Off-Road Vehicle Insurance
    • Pet Insurance
    • Renters Insurance
    • Special Event Insurance
    • Travel Insurance
    • Umbrella Insurance
    • Watercraft Insurance
  • More
    • About Us
    • Customer Contact Update Form
    • Customer Login
    • Customer Service Forms
    • FAQ
    • Location Map
    • Privacy Policy
    • Service Request
    • Testimonials

 

Home > Blog > Distracted Driving - The Risks and Statistics
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2017

Distracted Driving - The Risks and Statistics

auto insurance

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert your attention away from the main task of driving. It is something that is both dangerous and disturbingly common. In fact, drivers spend more than half of their time focused on things other than driving. You may be surprised to learn that cell phones and texting are just part of the problem when it comes to distracted driving. While stowing your phone while you drive is an important safety step, other behaviors behind the wheel, from drinking coffee to using a navigation system, may also be putting you at risk.


“The fact is, everything that occupies your mind or your vision can contribute to distraction behind the wheel,” explains Chris Hayes, Safety Professional from Travelers. “While many distracted driving studies focus on cell phones, any type of multi-tasking activity and driving simply do not mix.”



A list of driving distractions may include:

  • Dialing or using a smartphone;
  • Texting;
  • Eating or drinking;
  • Talking to passengers;
  • Grooming;
  • Reading;
  • Programming a GPS or navigation system;
  • Adjusting a radio or MP3 player.

 

Cognitive Distraction

It may not be surprising to learn that your brain is only capable of processing a certain amount of information at any given time.

When we attempt to perform multiple tasks at the same time, like driving while talking on the phone or eating, we can encounter performance problems. Multiple tasks tend to compete for our brain's attention.



 

Visual Distraction

It may sound like an assumed fact, but you have to look where you are going when driving. Regardless, we see people driving without looking where they are going every day. Driving while visually distracted can be as dangerous as driving with your eyes closed. You would not make a turn or change lanes with your eyes closed, yet, distracted drivers are, in effect, doing just that.


Imagine driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. That is the equivalent of texting while driving at 55 mph. Because texting takes our attention away for an average of 4.6 seconds, we are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash.


Some other common distractions most of us are very familiar with include eating, adjusting music or GPS devices, applying makeup, reading, and reaching for moving objects. Each of these tasks can dramatically increase your odds of getting into an accident.


Texting while driving is particularly dangerous because it requires manual, visual and cognitive distraction at the same time, according to distraction.gov, the U.S. government’s official website on distracted driving.



Cognitive, Visual or Both?

Distraction can keep you from driving safely in multiple ways. Any distraction, regardless of how quick or harmless it may seem, should be avoided when you are behind the wheel. Remember to keep your eyes and brain focused on the road at all times.



Setting a Good Example

Avoiding sending text messages or calling someone you know is on the road can help prevent them from distraction. Parents can set a good example for children by modeling attentive driving, including putting away the phone and not eating or grooming behind the wheel. Learn more about talking to your teen driver.

 

auto insurance

 

For more information or if you have any questions regarding distracted driving, auto insurance or any other topic, contact CLH Insurance at 636.391.0700 or email questions@clhins.com to connect with our insurance agents.

 

Sources:  1 U.S. Department of Transportation, http://www.distraction.gov/stats-research-laws/facts-and-statistics.html.  2 AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, https://www.aaafoundation.org/sites/default/files/DistractedDrivingBrochure.pdf.  3 Driver Distraction in Commercial Vehicle Operations, FMCSA, 2009.

*Content provided by Travelers Insurance

 

 

Posted 11:31 AM

Tags: personal lines, commercial lines, auto insurance, risk management, tips, distracted driving
Share |


No Comments


Post a Comment
Required
Required (Not Displayed)
Required


All comments are moderated and stripped of HTML.

NOTICE: This blog and website are made available by the publisher for educational and informational purposes only. It is not be used as a substitute for competent insurance, legal, or tax advice from a licensed professional in your state. By using this blog site you understand that there is no broker client relationship between you and the blog and website publisher.
Blog Archive
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012

  • tips(110)
  • risk management(102)
  • personal lines(94)
  • commercial lines(78)
  • clhu(45)
  • podcast(32)
  • homeowners insurance(30)
  • auto insurance(20)
  • church insurance(13)
  • non-profit(12)
  • ministry(11)
  • technology(10)
  • general liability(10)
  • bop(8)
  • life insurance(8)
  • travel insurance(7)
  • special event insurance(7)
  • renters insurance(7)
  • liability(6)
  • cyber liability(6)
  • umbrella insurance(5)
  • winter(5)
  • small business(5)
  • fire(5)
  • health insurance(5)
  • pet insurance(5)
  • homeowners(5)
  • health(4)
  • safety(4)
  • identity theft(4)
  • church(3)
  • customer service(3)
  • flood insurance(3)
  • wedding(3)
  • fema(3)
  • christmas(3)
  • college(3)
  • boat insurance(3)
  • personal insurance(3)
  • thanksgiving(3)
  • disability(2)
  • injury(2)
  • child care(2)
  • entrepreneur(2)
  • security(2)
  • distracted driving(2)
  • daycare insurance(2)
  • liquor liability(2)
  • professional liability(2)
  • cyber liability insurance(2)

View Mobile Version
Brotherhood Mutual
Nationwide
Safeco
The Hartford
Travelers
Anthem
Progressive

Resources

Home About Us Get a Quote File Claim Mobile App
BBB
TC

Contact Us

icon
  • 8820 Ladue Road, Ste. 302
  • St Louis, MO 63124
  • Phone: 636-391-0700
  • Fax: 636-391-0715
  • info@oberle-risk.com
© Copyright. All rights reserved.
Powered by Insurance Website Builder