Think a hands-free cell phone system is making you a safer driver than if you held the phone to talk while you drive? Think again. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety agree that drivers are four times more likely to get into a car accident talking on the phone, either hands free or holding the phone.
That’s a statistic car insurance companies don’t care for. And with technologies emerging that essentially muzzle drivers from using cell phones while driving, you may soon have no choice but to wait until you stop driving to make a call.
The Dangers
Even the most diligent driver has trouble focusing on the road when engaged in a conversation. Most people assume that texting while driving or actively holding and touching a cell phone is what’s distracting, but the truth is, it’s the conversation that diverts a driver’s attention from the road. This can cause a driver to miss an exit, swerve in traffic, or even worse: get into a collision with another car or inanimate object.
Enter the Car Insurance Industry
Car insurance companies strive to not have to pay claims. Whatever they can do to lower the risk that a policyholder has in getting into an accident, they will do. The larger car insurers are now discussing implementing the use of call blocking technologies like ZoomSafer, obdEdge and Aegis Mobility.
These companies have developed technology that uses a phone’s GPS signal and information from the car or cell-phone tower to determine when its owner is driving. It disables calls from coming in or going out. Incoming calls are sent to voicemail.
Parents and employers will appreciate this technology; while it can be disabled, they can receive an email alerting them that their teen or employee has deliberately made a call while driving.
Car insurance companies are determining how to implement this technology into their current car insurance policies. Some are considering offering discounts to policyholders who use a call-blocking service.
Why Not Just Turn the Phone Off?
Some believe these technological efforts are overkill. After all, a driver can simply turn off his phone or ignore it, can’t he? Apparently not. Consumers have become so accustomed to having their phones at the ready that few are willing to give up the instant accessibility they bring, even if it means forsaking their safety while driving.
No Phones Means Better Business
Businesses that have drivers will likely be the most excited about the cell phone blocking services. Given the frequency many find themselves paying on commercial car insurance claims due to negligent drivers who were on their phones when they got into a collision, using cell phone muzzlers can substantially reduce a company’s accident rate if implemented.
Learn More
Curious what your car insurance company thinks about keeping cell phones turned off in the car? Contact your car insurance agent to see if your car insurance company has plans to offer the service or give discounts to those who use it.
