I am in my car on the way to work, making my way down Rt 6A on Cape Cod.  Looking out the window at the beautiful view is distraction enough; never mind having to worry about the other driver, distracted, on the cell phone or worse, texting.  I am slowing down, looking in my rear view and hoping they pay attention and look up in time to stop before rear ending me.  Or how many times has the vehicle coming in the opposite direction swerved over the line due to the fact they weren’t paying attention. Most of the time, they recover and it is fine… This has happened to all of us and for many different reasons.   

According to a 2007 Department of Transportation study, the United States is home to the largest passenger vehicle market of any country in the world.  It is estimated that there are 254.4 million registered passenger vehicles in the United States, and this number has steadily grown since the 1960’s.   Keeping these numbers in mind, along with the ever expanding mobile technology and the growing number of Americans who are using these applications while driving we have a huge problem on our hands. 

According to AAA, driver distractions are nothing new. It has been a topic of discussion since windshield wipers were introduced.  Using a cell phone while driving can increase your chances of being in an auto accident.  But research shows other distractions such as eating a sandwich, tending to children, conversing with a passenger or gazing at the passing landscape occur more frequently and can be just as distracting as cell phone use.  Now, just imagine the risks if you combine two or more of the tasks above. 

 
WILL BANNING HAND HELD CELL PHONES IMPROVE SAFETY?

Not according to some current research.  A study funded by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found the effects of cell phone use on driver attention is about as distracting as tuning a radio.  However, there have been no studies which show hands-free phones offer any safety advantages over hand held phones. 

Massachusetts has proposed legislation which will ban texting while driving for all drivers, including law enforcement.  Compromises between the House and the Senate will determine additional restrictions on calling and heftier sanctions for junior operators. 

 
WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO?

Educate:  Cooperation between policy makers, motor vehicle offices, motor clubs and insurance companies is key.  Everyone involved is working to develop educational approaches that will train drivers to recognize when they are being distracted and how it affects their driving.  The key is to learn how to manage those distractions.

TIPS FOR MANAGING DISTRACTIONS:

Before you get behind the wheel, familiarize yourself with vehicles features and equipment

Preset radio stations, MP3 devices and climate control

Secure items that may move around when the vehicle is in motion

Do not text message, access the internet, watch video, play video games, search MP3 devices, or use any other distracting technology while driving

Avoid smoking, eating, drinking or reading while driving

Pull safely off the road and out of traffic to deal with children

Do your personal grooming at home 

Review maps and driving directions before hitting the road

Don’t use cell phones while driving but if you must

Use only if absolutely necessary, let the other party know you are in the car and keep the conversation short.

Do not engage in emotional conversations while driving.  Pull off the road if necessary

If possible, ask the passenger in the car to place the call for you

WHAT IS TWINBROOK DOING TO HELP THE CAUSE?
 

Twinbrook Insurance in partnership with The Arbella Mutual Insurance Group Charitable Foundation is sponsoring a “Distractology” mobile training tour this September 20^th through the 24^th at Holbrook High School (245 S. Franklin St.) between the hours of 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

 
Distractology 101 is a crash course on distracted driving brought to you by Arbella Insurance Group.  The training is 45 minutes of instructional learning in a fun, interactive setting in the simulator with a follow up on line tutorial.   It is for new drivers with less than 3 years driving experience and it is FREE.  You DO NOT have to be a client of either Twinbrook or Arbella to participate. 

Once complete, the driver will get a $15 gas card and be entitled to a 7% premium discount on their Arbella auto insurance.  Please contact any of our Twinbrook offices to schedule an appointment. 

 
Please help us get the word out.  Just maybe we can help save lives.