PEOPLES DRIVING BEHAVIOR
- Americans are increasingly distracted by phones and other devices behind the wheel. This and other reckless behaviors (like aggressive driving and DUI) increase risk — and therefore rates —
for everyone. - Even with fewer people on the road and fewer miles traveled, major accidents are on the rise. The fatality rate from vehicular accidents for the first half of 2021 increased to 1.34 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled — up 5% from the same time period in 2020.
- During the pandemic, people picked up speeding and other reckless driving habits that have continued into 2021. Insurers’ data shows that drivers with a history of traffic violations and accidents tend to file more claims than those who don’t, so they raise those drivers’ insurance rates accordingly.