OIP News - Driving this Summer? Avoid Dangerous Distractions

Whether you are heading out for a cross country road trip or simply commuting to work, distractions while driving are an increasingly dangerous reality. The Ontario Government Ministry of Transportation reports that driver distraction is a major cause of collisions, with the number one source of distraction for today’s driver being the cell phone. Even using a hands free cell phone device severely impacts a driver’s ability to react effectively behind the wheel.

A number of Canadian provinces have banned the use of hand held cell phones while driving, including Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. In Ontario, legislation is expected to come into effect in the near future that will ban cell phones and hand held devices including iPods and Blackberries. Of course, cell phones are not the only culprits; drinking coffee, turning up the volume of your favourite song on the radio, chatting with your children in the back seat, or even fiddling with your GPS system all pose incredible risk to you and others.

When behind the wheel, it is your duty and responsibility to keep your full focus on the road. If you do not, and cause an accident, you could be charged with careless driving. Penalties vary from province to province and can be extremely severe. In addition to legal issues, the cost of your insurance may rise because of an accident or a driving conviction.

When driving, the safest practice is to pay attention. Turn off the cell phone but keep handy in case of an emergency. Avoid drinking or eating behind the wheel, never text or tinker with hand held devices, and preset the radio or climate control before you leave. Keep two eyes on the road and two hands on the wheel at all times. This will lead to a safer ride, while helping to reduce the potential of an insurance claim, ultimately keeping your insurance costs as low as possible. For further protection, ask your insurance broker if you are eligible for the optional Accident Forgiveness protection and how to add it to your auto insurance policy.

For more information on this and other aspects of the OVMA Insurance Program, contact Pottruff & Smith Insurance Brokers Inc., program administrator, at 1.888.681.2862.