Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from operating a vehicle. This can include talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your car, adjusting the radio or navigation system, applying makeup, and brushing your hair.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of people killed by distracted driving in 2022 was 3,308. Nearly 290,000 people were injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers.
While every state has different rules and regulations, most states have laws against texting and talking on a cell phone while driving. To learn about the laws in your state, you can visit the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Ways to avoid distracted driving
To help avoid distracted driving, there are several things you can do to improve your safety:
- Use a free app to silence texts and incoming call notifications while driving.
- Sync your phone to your car so you can take calls and hear texts without having to handle your phone.
- Keep your phone out of reach while driving. (Put it in the console and don’t touch it or in the glove box.)
- Use a cell phone mount to keep your device out of your hands when taking calls or responding to texts.
- Appoint a passenger to respond to texts or calls.
- To increase alertness, avoid driving alone and on little sleep.
- Avoid eating while driving so that you can keep both hands on the wheel.
- Finish getting ready at home so you are not doing things like shaving or putting on makeup while driving.
It should go without saying if you drop something while driving, do NOT try to search for it and pick it up while driving. Wait until you have stopped to look for the item.
Another way you can help curb distracted driving is when you enroll in MAPFRE’s MotionSmartSM. The app collects and analyzes driving data and displays an overall driving score assessed by combining hard braking, hard acceleration, hard cornering, speeding, and phone use. MotionSmart can potentially lower your premiums through your safe driving.
How distracted driving impacts insurance rates
In addition to motor vehicle crashes, potentially losing your license, or facing fines, driving while distracted could also lead to a higher auto insurance premium.
While some states do not allow insurance companies to factor distracted driving into their annual rates, sixteen states ban drivers from holding electronic devices. Thirty-four states have full bans of electronic devices for teen drivers, including hands-free use.
Check out the laws on distracted driving in your state to avoid potential penalties.
We hope you found these tips on distracted driving helpful. While driving safely is important, so is having the right coverage, so make sure you have your independent agent review your auto insurance policies. If you are not a MAPFRE customer yet, you can always get a fast, free quote today on your Massachusetts car insurance to get outstanding coverage at a great price.
