Auto Insurance Safety Tips

According to the US Transportation Department (www.nhtsa.gov) there were over 5.8 million police reported motor vehicle traffic accidents which resulted in 2.3 million injuries in 2008. Given that the police do not come out to all accidents, these statistics likely understate the true impact auto accidents have on society each year. We each can do our part to think safety first when we hit the road.

Get a copy of the report:

 

We all save money on auto insurance when we drive safely. Consider these tips.

 

Buckle Up - "Click-it or Ticket"

Click-It or Ticket is the most successful seat belt enforcement campaign ever, helping create the highest national seat belt usage rate of 82 percent. The message is pretty simple, use your seat belts or get a ticket. While the concept is simple, we all still don't use our seat belts. This simple choice can save your life. Failure to use your seat belt also has a high societal cost. Research shows that injury costs for unbelted victims is 25% higher than those who were belted. A significant portion of this cost is paid for by local and federal government. Use your belt; you're not only helping yourself, but your doing you're part to save money for all of us.

Drinking and Driving is a Deadly Combination

In 2004, an estimated 16,654 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes - an average of one almost every half-hour, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These deaths made up about 39 percent of the 42,800 total traffic fatalities. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children from 2 to 14 years of age, according to the NHTSA. Through education, increased law enforcement and stiffer penalties, the number of alcohol-related traffic crashes can be reduced.

What you can do to protect yourself and others?

If you drink, be responsible. When with a group, choose a designated driver. Having one person agree to drink only non-alcoholic beverages and provide transportation for other members of the group can save lives.

Want to know how prevalent impaired driving is?:

Cell Phones make for a Distracted Driver

NHTSA estimates that driver distraction from all sources contributes to 25 percent of all police-reported traffic crashes.

A study released in February 1997 by the New England Journal of Medicine also suggests that cell phone users are four (4) times more likely to have a collision.

Driver inattentiveness is already the leading cause of accidents, there is no need to add a cell phone assist to this problem.

Learn the Proper Method for Installing your Baby Car Seat

Improperly installed car seats can lead to serious or even fatal injuries. Many highway patrol stations and community centers will inspect the seat installation for you. Give your local non-emergency services a call to find an inspection location near you. The little ones are worth it!