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How OnMyWay is Challenging Distracted Driving

distracted driving stats

Technology is enhancing the way we live our lives. The developments in this sector have invented smartphones that help you have the world at your fingertips. They enable us to stay connected with our family and friends. Moreover, today everyone owns this precious commodity.

However, every coin has two sides. With advantages, smartphones also have certain disadvantages, which can endanger us daily.

Would you drive blindfolded on a football field at 55 mph?

That’s exactly what you’re doing by texting while driving. It is one of the common reasons for distracted driving. 

Every day, nearly 1 million people use their smartphones while they’re driving.

cdc.gov

That’s why the number of accidents is also increasing. Texting while driving or even checking your smartphones while on the road is not only a risk to you but also endangers the people around you.

The Rise of Distracted Driving

While driving, you can only take two seconds to glance away from the road and ensure safety. However, if you want to check a message, it’ll take almost five seconds of your attention. While you might say that five seconds is small tiny-miny, that is all it takes to cause irrevocable damage.

For example, if you’re driving 60 miles per hour and just for five seconds, you glance away from the road, you will drive 440 feet without looking at what is ahead of you. You can’t imagine the number of things that can happen within 440 feet that can lead to serious damage.

The distraction rates of people texting while driving are alarmingly high. Throughout the day, around 660,000 drivers try to use their phones while they’re on the road.

According to the National Safety Council, 1.6 million crashes are recorded every year because of people using smartphones while driving.

Another study by AT&T highlights that around 50% of adults in America are guilty of texting while driving. Moreover, 3,000 teens die every year in car crashes from distracted driving. This number refers to only reported deaths. The number goes higher when we consider the unreported cases.

The survey also states that 9 out of 10 drivers already know the consequences of such behavior. Still, people are reluctant to follow traffic rules and ensure the safety of everyone.

Dangers of Distracted Driving

Cell phone use while driving is like driving blindfolded.

Increases the Risk of Traffic Accidents

One of the apparent dangers of distracted driving is the risk of accidents. You could either hit a pedestrian or cause a vehicular collision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that the most common cause of teenage deaths is texting while driving.

It has also outranked drunk driving! We know that there are so many inexperienced drivers on the road. Moreover, if they use cell phones while driving, the chances of accidents and fatalities are incredibly high.

Get Punished for Breaking the Law

If you’re texting while driving, you’re messing with the law. States hold distracted driving accountable for increasing car accidents. Several states have already established laws that penalize drivers for texting while driving.

For example, in Iowa, first-time offenders are punished with as high as a $1000 fine. This is to stop drivers from repeating the same mistake. However, repeat offenders encounter harsher penalties. Furthermore, first-time offenders in Wisconsin are penalized with a $400 fine.

The government also reduces 4 points in the driver’s license record. However, repeat offenders are taxed with an $800 fine and can risk license suspension. Sixteen states in America ban the use of handheld devices while driving. Twenty-one states restrict school bus drivers from using mobile phones while driving.

Remember that, along with causing an accident, you will break the law and penalize yourself if you continue texting while driving.

Damages and Repairing Expenses

If you cause an accident, imagine the expenses you’ll have to incur to repair any damage to your car. If the impact is huge, your car might be declared a total wreck. You’ll not be able to drive your vehicle, and this can cause quite an inconvenience.

Repairing the damages of a car is very expensive. This can be even more disappointing if you do not have enough insurance coverage. If there is a vehicular collision because you’re texting while driving, you might have to pay the repair expenses of the other vehicles involved, as well.

Minor repairs like fender benders will cost a few hundred dollars. However, if you damage any of the critical components like the chassis, then you might end up spending a few thousand dollars. So, texting while driving is not only dangerous but also can burn a hole in your pocket.

Increase in Insurance Premiums

When you suffer from a car accident, your insurer usually pays for damages, if any. However, if your insurer comes to know you’re at fault due to distracted driving, the chances are high that the insurer will restructure your premiums.

Insurance companies consider distracted driving as one of the factors while making policy changes. When you buy insurance for your vehicle, you’re presented with a heavy insurance premium. This is exclusive of whether you damage your car or not.

Being reported by the police for distracted driving is a golden opportunity for insurance companies to increase the price of your premiums.

OnMyWay is Challenging Distracted Driving

While the dangers of distracted driving are immense, apps like OnMyWay are helping cut down the number of distracted driving accidents. What if someone were paying you not to check your phone while driving? That’s what the OnMyWay app does!

The app automatically detects when you’re driving over 10 MPH by leveraging your location data, and it disables apps or text alerts. It then pays you 5 cents per mile for not using your phone while driving. Also, OnMyWay app users get paid two extra cents for miles driven by other people who they refer to the service.

OnMyWay app users can spend their rewards on deals and offers that the app provides on various products. So, if you avoid texting while driving, you get paid, plus you gain amazing deals to spend on. Isn’t that cool?

Conclusion

While the OnMyWay app is trying to change the current scenario and reduce the dangers of distracted driving, it’s crucial to keep your eye on the road and avoid texting while driving to cause any damage or loss of life.

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