More texts, more wrecks: Distracted SC drivers push up insurance rates
The driver's head is down. It's obvious he or she, possibly a
"Sure, it's a problem with those university kids," said
Districted driving, however, is more than an inconvenience. It is a serious threat on our roadways and to your pocketbook. Insurance rates are rising rapidly because of a startling increase in accidents attributed to distracted driving.
Data from the state
"And distracted driving is a big part of that," Farmer said. "You can't go on the road without seeing someone -- it doesn't matter the age -- texting, talking on on the phone or reading emails."
Nationally, premiums have increased 16 percent since 2011, according to the
"Obviously, insurance companies are (raising premiums) because their losses are going up," Farmer said.
Nationally, more than 40,000 people died on the road last year -- up 14 percent since 2014. That's the sharpest rise in 53 years, the
In
Distracted-driving collisions with injuries rose to a record 5,698 in 2016, up from 4,399 in 2011, department records show.
"We are seeing an increase in accident frequency," said
To combat that, the
"This is behavior we can stop if we really want to," Farmer said.
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