Make Safe Driving Your 2008 New Year's Resolution

Each year millions of people across the globe make a series of New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, quit smoking and get out of debt. But you never hear of anyone resolving to drive safer in the New Year. Why you might ask? Well, many Americans most likely think they are already good drivers and their driving skills aren’t in need of refining. Nice thought, but that is highly unlikely. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 2006 Traffic Safety Facts, there were 42,642 automobile accidents in 2006. Though this number has declined over the past five years, it is still a high number of accidents occurring in one year, which makes you think – are Americans really up to par when it comes to driving?

“Nowadays drivers are multitasking while they are driving,” stated David Roush, CEO of Insurance.com, the nation’s largest online auto insurance agency. “Drivers are talking on their phones, listening to their iPods, talking to passengers, eating or –sadly– trying to read the newspaper while driving. When you mix driving with hazards like these, you are not only putting yourself at risk for an accident, you are also putting everyone else around you at risk.”

Don’t think people are really doing all these things while they are driving? Think again. According to the Safe Driving Institute, Inc’s website:

* 77% of drivers said they talk on their cell phones while driving
* 60% said they either frequently or occasionally eat while driving
* 50% admitted to making obscene or rude gestures or comments to other drivers, particularly those who cut in front of them on the highway
* 50% reported that they have almost fallen asleep while driving
* And 53% of drivers pay a surcharge on their auto insurance policy because of their poor driving record

source : www.insurance.com