Did you know April was Distracted Driving Awareness Month? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Distracted Driving is any activity that diverts attention away from the task of safe driving. And this is not just taking a quick glance at one’s phone—texting, eating, navigating and switching back-and-forth between playlists are all potential distractions that increase one’s chances of crashing. In 2023, 3,275 lost their lives and an estimated additional 324,819 people were injured in motor vehicle accidents because someone believed they could multitask behind a wheel.
Insurers used April to emphasize the importance of safe driving across digital channels. Nationwide published an article on its Agency Forward blog highlighting the dangers of distracted driving and ways agents can encourage their clients to make better decisions on the road. According to the article, drivers take their eyes off the road at an average of 13 times a day. Nationwide also used this opportunity to promote their SmartRide telematics program, which leverages a mobile app to track driving data, while offering discounts on auto insurance for safe driving.
Kemper released an article earlier in the month to relay a Call to Action, which encourages everyone to drive safely, and lists simple solutions like using the Do Not Disturb setting on your phone, getting enough sleep and speaking up when a driver exhibits unsafe driving habits. Additionally, the insurer promoted its dedicated public website for Distracted Driving Awareness Month filled with educational materials where users can access driving statistics, a Community Impact blog, What Kind of Driver Are You? Quiz, and several informational resources and tips to encourage better driving habits.
Travelers and The Hartford, took to social media to appeal to a younger audience. The Hartford’s Instagram reel reminds users that even a few seconds of distraction can have lifelong consequences. Travelers brought that message to life with a reel demonstrating a realistic scenario showing just how quickly everything can go wrong when you lose focus for a moment.
As insurers continue to innovate their approaches to promote safe driving across digital channels and collectively remind us to make better choices behind the wheel, we are also reminded that insurers are investing in their policyholders beyond financial protection. As April’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month concludes, the message from insurers remains clear year-round.
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Dellynn Prince-Travis
Dellynn Prince-Travis is an Analyst on CI's P&C insurance team.