Did you know that, on average, nine Americans are likely to die today due to accidents involving distracted driving? Each year, around 3,000 people lose their lives to distracted driving, with nearly 400 of those deaths in 2020 attributed specifically to cell phone use.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that cell phones are involved in at least 12% of all vehicle crashes. Distracted driving is a major issue, but finding effective solutions to curb this dangerous behavior remains a challenge.
Recent research from Penn Medicine suggests that financial incentives might be an effective way to reduce distracted driving. Partnering with Progressive Insurance, researchers studied 2,000 participants who downloaded apps that monitored their phone usage and driving performance. The study found that drivers who were informed they could lose up to $7.15 a week showed the least phone use while driving, compared to those with no monetary incentives or feedback.
Interestingly, offering a higher amount of $14.29 per week did not significantly increase the reduction in phone usage, although overall usage dropped notably. Another group of drivers, promised $50 at the end of the test period for monitoring and feedback, also showed significant results. However, those promised the delayed $50 without feedback showed less substantial improvements.
βIn the United States, over 800,000 crashes per year are due to distracted driving, with cell phone use being a leading cause. This persists despite numerous laws banning handheld phone use, indicating the need for additional scalable interventions,β said lead author M. Kit Delgado, MD, MS, faculty director of Penn Medicineβs Nudge Unit and an associate professor of Emergency Medicine and Epidemiology. βWe leveraged humansβ natural aversion to loss and regret, as well as our desire to adhere to social norms, to achieve significant results.β
Overall, the most successful group in the study reduced their phone usage from an average of 56 seconds per hour to about 216 seconds of use per hour.
Usage-Based Insurance
Insurance companies are increasingly exploring similar programs for their customers. This approach, known as βusage-based insurance,β adjusts premiums based on driving behavior, offering discounts for safer drivers.
Parental Guidance and Broader Awareness
The NHTSA recommends that parents talk to their children and young drivers about the importance of focused driving, setting an example themselves. Families can also sign a pledge against cell phone usage behind the wheel.
Distracted driving extends beyond cell phone use. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute warns that other risky behaviors include eating or drinking, talking to passengers, adjusting radio or climate controls, and even hands-free phone calls.
As of 2024, 49 states and Washington, D.C., have banned texting while driving. Additionally, 36 states and Washington, D.C., have laws prohibiting cell phone use (texting or hands-free) by teen drivers. Twenty states have banned all cell phone use for school bus drivers.
By combining financial incentives with broader education and legal measures, we can make significant strides in reducing the deadly impact of distracted driving.
Rubby Cordelia is a finance journalist for WVPrepBB.com, bringing expertise and clarity to her reporting on financial news. With a passion for demystifying complex economic issues, Rubby delivers insightful analysis and up-to-date information on the latest market trends, financial policies, and economic developments. Her work on WVPrepBB.com is essential reading for anyone looking to stay informed about the ever-changing world of finance.
