Preventing Distracted Driving and Remaining In Control on the Road

Whether it be newer diversions like the latest in-vehicle entertainment options or more traditional distractions like trying to stop the kids from arguing in the back seat, distracted driving remains all to common and is dangerous to yourself, your family, and other people on or around the road. As such, we all have a role to play in ending distracted driving as well as remaining in control and focused on safety while on the road.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a government agency charged with leading the national effort to save lives by preventing this dangerous behavior, distracted driving is defined as “any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system — anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving” and found that it claimed 3,308 lives in 2022. The NHTSA also offers this informative yet harrowing example, “sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.”

When it comes to building skills to help prevent distracted driving and in support of other tactics that will help keep you and others safe, there are opportunities for continued growth. Safety Insurance has joined forces with the driver training and education center In Control Family Foundation, to improve driver safety in Massachusetts.

As part of this partnership, individuals who successfully complete the In Control Family Foundation’s Crash Prevention Training Course and obtain a certificate of such completion are considered Members of the In Control Family Foundation and are eligible to receive the group discount on their automobile insurance from Safety Insurance. For more information on the Crash Prevention Training Course, please see http://www.driveincontrol.org/cpt/. Want to learn more? Be sure to check out the Drive In Control podcast series.

In addition, drivers with Safety Insurance coverage will also have the opportunity to participate in the driver skills development program at In Control for only $75.00; more than a 70 percent discount from the normal $350.00 enrollment fee.

The hands-on Crash Prevention 101 training includes:

• Proper hands and seating
• Emergency braking skills (ABS vs non-ABS)
• Advanced steering, including over and under steering
• Relationship between speed and control
• Backing up skills and awareness
• Following distance/tailgating
• Anti-cell / text messaging / distraction experience
• Understanding vehicle safety technology
• Emergency avoidance maneuvers

This is supplemented with classroom discussion and training that addresses:

• Situational awareness and driving distractions (including cell / texting)
• Impaired driving (distracted, drinking, drugs and drowsy)
• Understanding road-rage
• Airbag awareness
• Vehicle assessment & tire safety
• Other topics pertinent to the specific individuals involved

Please contact your independent agent and they will be happy to answer any questions about coverage. Safety Insurance helps you manage life’s storms both online and in person.