Alert Drivers Act Could Result In Cheap Insurance Quotes

Pushing its way through Senate is The Alert Drivers Act (“Avoiding Life-Endangering and Reckless Texting by Driver’s Act”), a bill which may bear potential positive effects on insurance for cars that are driven safely. The act will require all states to ban texting on cell phones and all other mobile communication devices. Currently, 14 states have a texting ban in place, while 11 states have modified plans. Washington, for example, has recently enacted the RCW 46 61 668, which makes texting while driving a secondary offense.

If the Alert Driver’s Act is passed, states must then adopt these guidelines or forfeit 25% of highway financing. States would be given two years to comply with these guidelines before the government considers pulling financing.

When Senator Chuck Schumer introduced the act, he felt that it would encounter few problems when being reviewed by Senate. Citing a study by Car and Driver Magazine, which found that texting while driving is more dangerous than drunk driving, Schumer believes that it would be irresponsible to let this bill slip through their fingers.

Manufacturers are equipping cars with more handheld devices than ever, a fact which is contributing to the increasing rate of driver distractions. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drivers using cell phone are four times more likely to be involved in a car crash that is serious enough to injure themselves and their passengers. 80% of all car accidents and 65% of near-misses are due occur, in part, to driver distraction, the most popular form of which is mobile phone usage (both texting and calling).

 A driver’s history is one of the biggest determining factors of their insurance premiums. Drivers who abide safety laws are automatically at a greater advantage, as their driving records are free of any misdemeanors that could drive up car insurance costs. With an increased focused on cell phone usage, adhering to regulations outlined in the proposed Alert Drivers Act could result in more affordable insurance for cars that are driven safely.


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