87% Say Distracted Driving Worse Today than Two Years Ago: Insurance.com Study

Auto insurance rates rise an average of 23% for texting while driving

Insurance.com surveyed 1,000 motorists finding that distracted driving and other bad behavior are serious problems.

Insurance.com shares survey results in this report: Distracted, Discourteous and Dangerous Driving. Findings include:

What most often distracts drivers

• 24% Texting
• 20% Navigation systems
• 16% Children in the car

Men say texting is their biggest driver distraction, while women report their largest distraction is navigation systems.

Frequency of texting while driving

• 50% Only a few times ever
• 14% about three or four times a year
• 13% about three or four times a month

Why and how often drivers take photos or selfies

• 46% take photos of majestic views
• 38% photograph the weather
• 35% take selfies because they look especially great on a given day

Confessions on rude behavior

• 34% Honking at a slow-moving driver
• 32% “Brake-checking” a car following closely
• 32% Admit making obscene gestures at others while driving

“Accidents and injuries are the main concerns with distracted driving,” notes Les Masterson, Insurance.com managing editor. “But drivers also risk significant penalties in the form of tickets, auto body repairs and higher auto insurance rates. Distracted driving tickets increase auto insurance rates by 22% on average, texting tickets hike rates by 23% and one at-fault accident can increase premiums by 32%.”

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