DNT TXT N DRV

Those of you that know how to text, tweet, fb & email on your mobile phone are probably guilty of distractive driving. It is easy to think you can send a quick text, check your email inbox or tweet what you are doing while stopped at a light or sitting in traffic. Truth is, texting while driving can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence.

Car and Driver Magazine conducted a study to see which distraction influences the reaction time to braking while driving a vehicle. They rigged a car with a red light in the windshield to act like a brake light for a vehicle in front of them. When driving 70 mph it took .54 seconds for the unimpaired driver with no distractions to brake. When legally drunk (.08) it added an extra 4 feet, while reading an email it added 36 feet and when sending a text it added 70 feet!

America averages over 75 billion text messages a year. Over 50 percent of teen drivers admit to texting while driving and 40 percent of crashes in urban areas are related to distractive driving. According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration over 515,000 people have been injured because of distracted drivers and a startling 5,800 people were killed in 2008. Fatality Accident Reporting System concludes that between 2001 & 2007, 16,141 lives were taken because of cell phone use while driving.

Colorado State law prohibits drivers under age of 18 to use hand held cell phones at all. It is also a crime for any driver to text, email or tweet while driving. Governor Bill Ritter signed the bill in 2009 and assigned a $50 fine for first time offenders and $100 fine for second time offenders. It is important for parents to preach to their teen drivers about the dangers of distractive driving and of course lead by example. If you absolutely need to text, tweet, email or fb pull over and come to a complete stop before reaching for your hand held device. Also, those with Blackberries and Android phones can download an application that restricts you from texting while driving.

A text, tweet and email can wait so do not let your smart phone allow you to do something stupid. In one single second your whole life could change for the worse. A BRB, LOL & TTYL can wait.

www.cisforyou.com     

Work Cited

Chester, S. (2010, September 24). Texting while driving responsible for 16,000 deaths in 6 years [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://techcrunch.com/2010/09/24/study-texting-while-driving-responsible-for-16000-deaths-in-6-years

Genachowskis, J. Federal Communications Commission, Testimony to Senate Commerce Committee. (2009). Texting while driving Washington, DC: Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved from http://www.fcc.gov/guides/texting-while-driving

 LeBeau, P. (2009, June 25). Texting and driving worse than drinking and driving [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.cnbc.com/id/31545004/site/14081545

Pay Attention



Can You See the Motorcycle?



Now You Can!



 The Honda Crotch Rocket was traveling 85 mph. The VW driver was talking on a cell phone when she pulled out of a side street and did not see the motorcycle. The vehicle had two passengers and the bike rider was found INSIDE the vehicle. All three were killed instantly. The VW actually flipped 20 feet from where the collision took place because of the impact. This demonstration was placed at the Motorcycle  Fair by policy and Road Safety Department. We all know that accidents DO happen but this one could have been prevented. The driver was making a phone call on her brand new cell phone and did not have her full attention on driving. The motorcyclist was obviously going way too fast and in a split second 3 lives were taken. Please pass this photo on to all young drivers, motorcycle riders and people who use a cell phone while driving.

http://www.cisforyou.com/



The Sun Is Shining so…What’s this talk about Umbrellas!?!

Yes, there is such a thing as an “umbrella policy” in insurance. This policy acts just like it sounds, it covers your underlying policies to protect you financially when dealing with a liability claim. This policy kicks in once your underlying policy limits are exhausted. For example, if your auto liability limit is $500,000 and you get into an accident that exceeds the $500,000 your umbrella would drop down and pay for the additional expenses. Umbrella policies typically run by the millions, starting as low as one million and are only eligible on auto policies that carry at least a single limit of $500,000. Premiums can vary depending on driving record, number of drivers in household, amount of homes etc. Typically a premium is between $150-$200 a year per million. The term “umbrella” in plain words, shields the insured’s assets more broadly then their primary policies would.

Not only does this policy drop down once the primary policy limits are exhausted but it also provides coverage to claims that may be excluded. False arrest, libel, slander and civil suits are prime examples. It used to be that only the wealthy needed or wanted this policy. However, now that anyone can sue for any reason, at any time, an umbrella adds the extra protection you might need. It is important to know that people can be declined from this type of policy and that is why it is important to work with your insurance agent to find out if you are a fit candidate for this extra insurance.

Don’t be caught out in the rain, get an umbrella policy so you aren’t trapped in financial pain!  

Always feel free to visit our site http://www.cisforyou.com/ for a free quote on your auto or home!