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How Smartphones Can Reduce Road Crashes and Strengthen the Insurance Industry

Carrier Management
October 6, 2017

As roads become increasingly more dangerous, due in part to drivers using their mobile phones, attempting to reduce distracted driving through laws is a step in the right direction.

 Ten years ago, Washington became the first state to pass a ban against texting while driving. This summer, it became the 15th state to make any hand-held cellphone use while driving a primary offense, meaning an officer may pull over and cite a driver for that violation.

Are laws and the threat of punishment enough to make lasting improvements to driving behavior? To answer that, let’s consider another question: Do speed limits make everyone travel at a safe and reasonable speed?

Although laws like these are designed to make us safer, they don’t guarantee obedience, much less behavioral change. Drivers need to drive more safely, but state legislators can only do so much.

Insurance companies, on the other hand, have an opportunity to make a lasting impact on driver safety. And by doing so, not only can they help drivers and society, they can also strengthen themselves.

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