Article

Distracted driving by the numbers

During daylight hours on any given day, more than 800,000 vehicles are being driven by someone with a hand-held phone. Staying focused and practicing safe driving behaviors is the first step to curbing distracted driving.

The download on distracted driving

What counts as distracted driving?

  • Talking, texting or posting on social media using your mobile device
  • Adjusting the car controls, radio, GPS, etc.
  • Eating or drinking
  • Attending to a child, passenger or pet
  • Applying makeup or grooming
  • Taking selfies
  • Focusing on billboards, landmarks and accidents
  • Daydreaming

Before you hit the road

  • Be rested and alert
  • Have a snack
  • Input GPS information
  • Put a passenger in charge of attending to others in the car, radio, etc.
  • Turn off phone or download an app that will block texts and calls until you arrive

Be a focused driver by keeping your:

  • Eyes on the road
  • Hands on the wheel
  • Mind on driving

 

Going up

 

Smartphone use and distracted driver habits are a key reason why auto insurance rates are going up. 

 

 

Mobile

 

At any moment, nearly 800,000 drivers of the 220 million subscribers are using cell phones or electronic devices.

 

 

Crashing Cars

 

About 8-9 people are killed and 1,000+ injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver each day.

 

Dollar sign

 

The cost of distracted driving: $46 billion a year in the United States.

 

goal

 

When you text and drive, your eyes are off the road for about 5 seconds. If driving 55 miles per hour, you will cover the distance of a football field.

medical

 

Motorists using mobile devices while driving are up to 6x as likely to get into crashes.

 

Keep your teen driver safe

Teens are particularly at risk to drive while distracted. Help keep your teen safe on the road with The Hanover’s SafeTeen driving programs. These driver safety programs help teach teen drivers safe driving habits while giving parents peace of mind. It also provides rewards and savings to safe teen drivers and their parents.

Learn more about

Hanover SafeTeen


Additional insurance coverages to consider

Sources: