Everyone knows about the risks of distracted driving. Not paying attention to the road can easily lead to crashes. In fact, experts estimate that distracted driving is responsible for 1.6 million crashes and 400,000 injuries every year. The problem is only getting worse, with an increase in such accidents of 14 percent since 2014. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2015 alone, 3,477 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes related to distracted driving.
Not only is distracted driving dangerous, it can also lead to higher car insurance rates. Texting or scrolling through social media while you’re behind the wheel can hurt your bottom line. If you want to learn more about distracted driving in Tampa, FL and how to avoid high insurance rates, read on.
How does distracted driving affect insurance rates?
Let’s start with this: think about texting while driving as you would think about smoking. Smokers know that the habit is bad for them, yet they keep doing it. The same goes for using your phone while driving. You put yourself at a much higher likelihood of getting into a serious crash when you pick up your phone while you drive. Studies have proven this repeatedly.
The bottom line is that this is such a pernicious problem that it’s affecting insurance rates. There are a number of things that impact rates, including your age, the neighborhood you live in, your driving history and how other drivers behave. So even if you’re leaving the phone at home when you drive, you can’t control whether a distracted driver is getting on the road. Because of this, people have seen insurance rates increase significantly—20 percent—since 2011.
Is this the same across the country?
No matter where you are, dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding, driving drunk or distracted driving will affect insurance rates. However, there are some states where the dangers associated with these behaviors result in a higher financial penalty.
In states like Vermont, Connecticut and Oregon that ticket distracted drivers, insurance premiums have skyrocketed by as much as 41 percent. And if you’re one of those drivers who’s been ticketed for distracted driving, your rates are even more likely to increase.
You may think that high car insurance rates are unavoidable, but you’d be mistaken—the fact remains that there are deals out there if you look in the right place.
Are you looking for the best car insurance rates in Tampa, FL? Check out Affordable Car Insurance Tampa. Our business is dedicated to getting our customers the absolute lowest-priced car insurance possible. We’re focused on delivering cheap car insurance for people with poor credit or an accident history, as well as first-time drivers and students.
We can help you by finding the coverage you need at a low price so you can get behind the wheel with peace of mind. For the past decade, we’ve been offering budget car insurance to Tampa drivers. Contact us today at 813-328-1985 to get a quote in just 10 minutes!
