Distracted driving is a serious to our safety and body integrity — most of us understand that. But the activity is also associated with another issue: The increase in insurance premiums.
According to a series of news reports, educators’ efforts to put an end to distracted driving are not being enough. After all, the number of collisions attributed to distracted driving has been rising not only locally, but nationwide as well. And as the issue becomes more common, so does the concern surrounding insurance premiums.
In many regions across the country — Washington state included — distracted driving has been driving the number of crashes up. As the trend continues to expose drivers, cyclists, motorcycle riders, and pedestrians to risks, 400,000 people are injured yearly as a result of distracted driving. And as a result, insurance rates have been rising. In certain parts of the country, they went from an average of 2.6 percent in 2013 to 8.9 percent in 2016.
If this trend continues, this will also continue to impact drivers in Washington state.
Distracted driving accidents due to increased use of smartphones drive insurance costs up. https://t.co/Rbn6PGTeci pic.twitter.com/KC6NJRihcC
— Colo. Motor Carriers (@ColoTrucking) February 21, 2017
If you’re a driver and you take your safety, the safety of your loved ones, and the safety of others seriously, you will also take this piece of news seriously.
Not only because distracted driving is against the law, but because it’s deadly. And as insurance rates rise because of the risks associated with distraction, we will also see fewer drivers willing to put more money into their insurance premiums. Keeping rates low by making sure that you’re not engaging in deadly behavior will help everyone to stay safer and better covered.
If you would like to read more on how these trends will impact drivers in the near future, follow this link. If you would like to obtain tips on how to make sure you’re not distracted, simply remember that focusing on the road and not using a phone or another electronic while behind the wheel will go a long way.
