Billions of text messages are sent every day. Unfortunately, a large percentage of those messages are sent by someone who is behind the wheel of a vehicle, even though studies have proven texting while driving is dangerous. Texting drivers are 23 times more likely to be involved in a car accident than drivers who don’t text. According to one study from the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis, texting while behind the wheel is responsible for more than 330,000 injuries and 3,000 deaths per year. Did you know texting while driving can also impact your auto insurance rates? In states where texting while driving is banned, police will issue tickets if you are caught breaking the law. While your insurance company is not automatically notified of these fines, your Texas insurance agency may find out about it through a routine check of your MVR record, which is often done every few years. When this occurs you will have to pay higher premiums on your comprehensive automobile insurance policy.
Leading Cause of Death Among Teens
For many years, drinking and driving was the number one cause of accidents and deaths of teenage drivers; however, texting has now taken the place of alcohol. In one survey, half of high school students who drive said they text while behind the wheel. This is due in part to the fact teenagers carry their phones with them 24/7. While drinking and driving is still dangerous and deadly, it is less common than texting while driving because most teenagers aren’t drinking seven days per week. According to research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), receiving or sending text messages while behind the wheel is six times as hazardous as drinking and driving. The agency reports when a driver sends or receives a text message, it takes their eyes away from the road for almost five seconds. When driving at 55 mph, that’s the equivalent of driving the entire length of a football field wearing a blindfold. Texting while driving is not just a problem related to teenagers because 47 percent of adults have admitted they text while driving.
State Laws: Do They Work?
A survey conducted by NHTSA found 90 percent of drivers support laws to ban texting while driving. Many states have already banned texting while driving or have moved toward using a graduated driver licensing systems for teenage drivers; however, it is unclear whether these laws have reduced crashes due to distracted driving and more research is needed. Some researchers say laws against texting while driving are ineffective. According to one study, in states with texting laws, 57 percent of boys reported they still text while driving. That is only two percent less than those who reported texting and driving in states without texting laws. If you are looking for a Texas insurance agency to handle your auto insurance needs, contact us. Our Dallas, TX, agents can help you get the best possible rates.