Texting and driving is a dangerous behavior that poses a serious risk to drivers, passengers, and other road users. Despite the known dangers, many people continue to engage in this behavior, often leading to accidents and injuries. In addition to the physical and emotional harm caused by accidents, texting and driving can also drive up the cost of insurance, especially if a driver is involved in an accident or receives a citation for texting while driving.
Texting and driving is a form of distracted driving that takes a driver’s attention away from the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, which is equivalent to driving the length of a football field at 55 miles per hour. This level of distraction greatly increases the risk of accidents and can lead to serious injuries or fatalities.
In addition to the human cost of accidents caused by texting and driving, there is also a financial cost. If a driver is involved in an accident caused by texting and driving, they may be found at fault and held responsible for the damages. This can include medical bills, property damage, and other expenses. In many cases, insurance companies may also raise premiums or cancel policies if a driver is involved in an accident caused by texting and driving. Insurance carriers are increasingly scrutinizing not-at-fault accidents to determine whether they may be the result of distracted driving, such as texting while driving. In these cases, the driver who is hit may not be considered at fault for the accident, but the insurance company may still investigate to determine whether the driver who caused the accident was distracted by their phone or other device.
One common scenario that insurance carriers are looking at is when a driver suddenly hits their brakes for no apparent reason, causing the driver behind them to collide with their vehicle. In some cases, this may be a result of distracted driving, such as texting or using a phone while driving. The driver may have been looking down at their phone and then suddenly realized they were approaching a stoplight or other obstacle, causing them to hit their brakes abruptly.
Insurance carriers are taking a closer look at these types of accidents because they may indicate a higher level of risk associated with distracted driving. If a driver has a history of not-at-fault accidents, particularly those involving sudden stops or rear-end collisions, the insurance company may consider this a red flag for distracted driving.
Insurance companies consider a driver’s risk level when setting premiums, and drivers who engage in risky behaviors such as texting and driving are considered higher risk. This means that they are more likely to be involved in accidents and file insurance claims, which can lead to higher premiums. In some cases, insurance companies may even refuse to provide coverage to drivers who have a history of texting and driving or other risky behaviors.
To avoid the risk of accidents and higher insurance premiums, drivers should avoid texting and driving at all times. This means putting away their phones while behind the wheel and using hands-free technology or other alternatives to stay connected. Drivers should also educate themselves on the dangers of distracted driving and encourage others to do the same. By taking these steps, drivers can help keep themselves and others safe on the road while also avoiding the financial consequences of accidents caused by texting and driving.
