Distracted Driving
When most people think of the causes of distracted driving, they automatically think of cell phones. While cell phones are one of the most common causes of distracted driving, you may not even have to use your phone to get distracted. A simple notification on your cell phone can be enough to impair your ability to stay safe on the road.
According to a study by Florida State University, a notification for an incoming text or call, alarm bell, or even a vibration will create the same results as drivers who are actually using their cell phone to make a call or send a text. The findings of the study are significant because most of the campaigns that are intended to stop cell phone use in the car only emphasize the importance of waiting to respond to a call or text. However, even the drivers who do wait can be put in dangerous situations once they hear or see a notification on their phone.
The study showed that the participants made significantly more mistakes on a computer task when they received a notification on their phone, even when they did not respond to the notification. The results of the study were compared to findings of other studies that were used to explore the impact of actual cell phone usage while driving. The results from both studies were very similar, which suggests that not responding to a notification is just as distracting as answering the phone.
Having the right auto insurance policy in place is one of the best ways to make sure that you stay safe from any peril that you face on the road. Contact the insurance professionals at Gee Schussler Insurance Agency in Orland Park, Illinois for all of your car insurance needs, and to ensure that you have the protection that you deserve.
