Tips to Avoid Being “Driven to Distraction”

In recent years, there’s been a great deal of attention paid to the issue of texting and driving, and with good reason: keeping your eyes on the tiny keyboard in front of you instead of the highway ahead is a sure way to head down the road to disaster. Unfortunately, texting is just the latest in a long line of distractions that are having deadly consequences on America’s roadways. In fact, according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Transportation, in 2009, 5,474 people were killed on America’s roadways and an estimated additional 448,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted driving.

“Distracted driving is increasingly having an impact on lives lost and property damaged,” said Mike Convery, Chief Claim Officer of MetLife Auto & Home. “Safe driving is really about focus. Every day, we receive reports of losses that could have been avoided if the basic principles of defensive driving and driver attentiveness been observed.”

To help avoid being “driven to distraction,” MetLife Auto & Home reminds consumers to ask the following questions, when behind the wheel:

Are you keeping your eye on the road? With cars more than ever resembling mobile offices and massive entertainment centers, it can be easy to forget the reason you’re behind the wheel. Keep in mind: these distractions can cut your reaction time in half. Since most accidents occur in seconds, you need all the time you can get.
Are you awake enough to drive? Driver fatigue leads to driver inattentiveness, and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 100,000 crashes are caused each year by drivers literally being asleep at the wheel. Recognize the signs of drowsy driving, which include difficulty focusing, frequent blinking, irritability, and frequent yawning—and then, take action.
Is your cell phone conversation more interesting than the road ahead? Many states place restrictions on the use of cell phones while driving. Even where it’s permissible, avoid doing so whenever possible. Talking on a cell phone increases the likelihood of getting involved in a motor vehicle accident. If you absolutely need to call, pull off the road to a safe location and dial away.
Do you have a designated deejay? Simple things like changing the radio dial or finding that “perfect song” on your MP3 player may seem harmless, but they’re a big distraction. Whenever possible, let your passengers “take the wheel” when it comes to selecting the musical mood.
Are you being lazy about changing lanes? It’s critical you look briefly over both shoulders before changing lanes. Even with onboard technology installed in the car, such as blind spot and rear view indicators, the basics learned in driver’s education always apply: signal your intention, check your mirrors, and then glance back both ways to be certain no one—or no thing—has found its way into your blind spots.
Are you day-driving or daydreaming? Even without external distractions, it’s easy to get caught up thinking about personal problems or work assignments. If you feel yourself losing your focus, give yourself a wake up call, and set aside your problems. They can wait until the ride is over.

For additional information, MetLife Auto & Home offers a free brochures called “Driving While Distracted: Be a Safer Driver,” containing additional information on the subject. It’s available by calling 1-800-638-5433 (MET-LIFE).

MetLife Auto & Home, a brand of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its affiliates, is one of the nation’s leading personal lines property and casualty insurance providers, with more than 2.7 million policies in force. MetLife Auto & Home is a part of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), a leading global provider of insurance, annuities, and employee benefit programs, serving 90 million customers in over 60 countries. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

MetLife Auto & Home is a brand of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its affiliates, Warwick, RI.

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