GEICO Asks: Just How Distracted Are Distracted Drivers?

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As Distracted
Driving Awareness Month 2019 draws to a close, GEICO urges drivers
to learn the risks associated with distracted driving.

How much is distracted driving affecting roadways?

• How much more likely is it for a crash to occur if drivers are
  interacting with a smartphone?

  Drivers who use a
  handheld phone increase their risk of crashing by two to three times
  compared to a sober, alert driver according to the Virginia Tech
  Transportation Institute. Prior to putting the car in gear, drivers
  should consider silencing their phones, turning on the ‘do not disturb
  function’ or placing them out of reach altogether in the car.

• How many drivers utilize ‘do not disturb while driving’ mode?

  Looking
  at drivers who had iPhones specifically, the Insurance Institute for
  Highway Safety found that only one in five had Apple’s ‘do not disturb
  while driving’ mode activated.

• Around 10 percent of fatal crashes resulted from distracted driving
  – why do researchers think this is a low estimate?

  At
  the scene of a crash, distraction is very hard to prove unless a
  driver freely admits to diverting his/her attention. According to IIHS
  many more fatal crashes may have resulted from distracted driving;
  however, distraction was not noted as the cause.

• Is it fair to only blame smartphones for issues related to
  distracted driving?

  Smartphones are only one piece of
  the problem. In a new observational study from the Insurance Institute
  for Highway Safety, a large percentage of drivers were seen partaking
  in other distracting behaviors such as eating/drinking, interacting
  with passengers, wearing headphones and reaching for items in the
  vehicle.

To avoid becoming a statistic, GEICO urges drivers to switch their
phones to ‘do not disturb’ mode, leave their GPS’ alone, plan their
meals outside of driving times and set playlists in advance.

For more distracted driving tips, visit GEICO’s Smartdogs Distracted
Driving resources page.

GEICO
(Government Employees Insurance Company), the second-largest auto
insurer in the U.S., was founded in 1936 and insures more than 28
million vehicles.

To make changes, report claims, print insurance cards and purchase
additional products, policyholders can log into their car
insurance policy, connect via GEICO
Mobile, phone or
by visiting a GEICO
local agent.

Contacts

GEICO Communications
gcorpcomm@geico.com
To
view GEICO’s Blog: https://www.geico.com/more/