I just wrote about distracted driving in a blog geared towards Artisan Contractors, however with April being Distracted Driving Awareness Month several items bear repeating!
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2020 3,142 lives were lost in crashes involving distracted driving. Drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 have been involved in accidents at a higher rate than other drivers. In Ohio if you are under the age of 18 you are prohibited from using a cell phone while operating a vehicle even That even includes using the GPS if it is not handsfree. This is a primary offense and you can be pulled over for no other violation!
For persons over 18 years old it is only against the law to text but it is a secondary offense, so officers need a primary reason to pull you over. The Ohio General Assembly is currently reviewing stricter laws regarding distracted drivers.
Regardless of the law, everybody needs to keep their eyes on the road-Don’ text and drive!
With the need to be connected at all time in today’s world what can you do to be safe? Use technology to assist you in reducing distracted driving; apps like Driving Detective, Drivemode or Android Auto can be helpful. These apps incorporate hands free and voice activation on your phone. Another option is to have a passenger in the car answer the phone, read texts for you or search the internet. Regardless of what method you choose, don’t be distracted from the task at hand driving. Maybe the best idea is to put your phone away and eliminate that distraction.
Education is another great tool to help reduce the urge to use our phones while driving and or any other occurrence of distracted driving.
Our partners at Central Insurance have made teenSMART available to our customers who have teens so they can learn more about the dangers of distracted driving. The program has driving simulations and games to give new drivers a better idea of how distracted driving can quickly turn into a terrible accident. When traveling 35 miles an hour you travel over the length of a football field in 20 seconds before you can stop! Several high schools in Ohio have received auto simulators from the Maria Tiberi Foundation to help educate new drivers on the hazards of distracted driving. Those 20 seconds it takes to grab your phone and look at a text can change a life forever.
The Trusted Choice Insurance Agents at Richey-Barrett will work with you to educate and counsel you in creating an insurance portfolio that meets your ever-changing needs. So, before you renew your home or auto insurance call us at 440.835.4800.
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