Driver Safety
By avoiding all-too-common dangerous habits, you can stay safe on the road and save on your auto insurance. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 5.5 million police-reported crashes in 2009, 1.5 million of which resulted in injury, and 30,797 of those crashes were fatal. Of the fatal accidents in 2009, 32% resulted from alcohol-impaired driving, and 16% were a result of distracted driving. Many accidents can be avoided by not driving while impaired or distracted.
Impaired Driving
Impaired driving can take many forms. Drivers who are unable to safely operate a vehicle should seek alternative transportation. Drivers that are beginning to feel the effects of impairment while driving should pull over in a safe location as soon as possible. Impaired driving includes operating a vehicle while influenced by:
- Alcohol: According to the NHTSA, alcohol remains the leading cause of accidents resulting from impaired driving. Additionally, driving under the influence carries increasingly harsh penalties that can have a significant affect on your auto insurance premium.
- Drugs & Medications: "Drugged driving," as it is commonly known, is the act of using any drugs that can impair a driver's reaction time, judgment, coordination, or motor skills.
- Sleepiness: In many cases, driving while tired or deprived of sleep can be just as dangerous as any other type of impaired driving. Lack of sleep severely affects attention, alertness, and reaction times.
- Medical Condition: A number of medical conditions can affect one's responsiveness, alertness, and motor functions. Drivers should consult a physician to determine their ability to operate a vehicle.
As an additional incentive for driving safely, Auto-Owners recognizes safe drivers with eligibility our most favorably rated Premier auto insurance program. For more information on our Premier auto insurance program,
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