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Kristin McGrath
The dangers of texting and talking on the phone behind the wheel have been in the spotlight for years — and have been the focal point of anti-distracted driving laws. But the newest phones allow you to do a lot more than talk and text.
When you get into a friend’s car, chances are you don’t ask to see a copy of his auto insurance policy. But what if that friend were to get in an accident? Would your injuries be covered? Here’s a look at what options passengers have — and what kinds of coverage your driver would need to have to protect you.
As states continue to look for effective ways to discourage drinking and driving, a few have turned to specially designed license plates that let police and other drivers know that the motorist is a DUI or DWI offender. An added punishment on top of the fines, jail time and increased auto insurance premiums offenders already face, these license plates have stirred up some controversy. Whether you’re facing a DUI or DWI charge or want to be more diligent in watching out for motorists with a history of drinking and driving, it’s a good idea to become familiar with these laws and programs.
Don’t sneak a peek at your text messages when you’re stopped at a traffic light or stuck in traffic in Maryland. As of Oct. 1, Maryland has banned the reading of text messages while driving.
As the weather shifts from summer to fall, drivers and deer often find themselves sharing the road. Although deer collisions have fallen 9 percent in the past three years, according to State Farm, they still peak between October and December (deer migration and mating season). And they are costly — and deadly.
Drowsy driving accounts for as many as 1,500 deaths, 71,000 injuries and 100,000 crashes each year, according to estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. But one group of drivers is particularly at risk for driving while drowsy — young people under age 25. A North Carolina study cited by the National Sleep Foundation found that these young drivers cause more than half of all drowsy-driving-related crashes.
Did you know there are times when you could get a ticket for speeding even if you’re not driving over the posted limit? If you get in an accident when the weather is bad or road conditions are poor, a police officer might cite you for driving “too fast for conditions.”
Fort Collins, Colo., drivers are some of the best on the road, while those in Washington, D.C., are among the worst, according to Allstate’s seventh annual America’s Best Driver’s Report. The report, which ranks the 200 largest U.S. cities, uses Allstate claims data to determine which places are car crash hotspots.
When they hand the car keys to their teenagers, parents are likely thinking about the teen crash statistics they’ve heard. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for example, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens between ages 15 and 19.
One way to help prevent teens from becoming statistics is to understand what causes them to crash. For a recent study by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance, researchers analyzed more than 800 crashes involving teen drivers and identified some common critical mistakes. They found that three common errors accounted for nearly half of all serious crashes.
The leading cause of death for U.S. teens is motor vehicle crashes. About 3,000 teens between age 15 and 19 died in car accidents in 2009, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Over the years, states have adopted Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) programs that gradually allow teens driving privileges before giving them standard driver’s licenses. Yet these requirements vary by state, and some states are stricter than others.
Legislation pending Congress would unite these various state laws into a single national standard for new teen drivers — and, according to a recent Allstate Insurance survey, many Americans think that’s a good idea.
