According the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, 391,000 individuals were injured & 3,477 were killed from distracted driving in 2015. Insurance premiums have skyrocketed because of distracted driving and increases in traffic accidents.  Distracted driving isn’t just talking on the phone or texting but can include reading articles or email, eating, brushing your hair, or any other way you’re trying to multi-task while driving.

Consider practicing good driving behavior by mastering these 5 habits every time you get inside your vehicle.

1.)Put your phone OUT of reach when entering your vehicle.

2.)Program your GPS or identify where you need to go before driving your vehicle.

3.)Groom Before or After, Not While Driving or Sitting at a Stop Light

4.)Eat While Parked

5.)Be a Role Model for Your Friends and Family

The back seat or placed in your bag or purse inside your trunk, along with other belongings can be a good start. If you can’t fathom doing this, continue to ask yourself, “Can it wait?” every time you want to reach for your device. Most likely it can. It may help to put your phone on mute to avoid the desire to reach for it when it alerts you of an incoming call or new text message/email. If you feel you always have to be readily available to take a phone call, pull your car over & park it before answering the call.

Be sure to activate voice commands so your eyes can stay on the road 100% of the time.

If you find yourself running late often & grooming last minute, transition yourself out of the habit of grooming while driving. Practice doing this once you’ve arrived at your location or before you even start your vehicle.

Don’t risk eating and driving. Instead, simple park your car and eat your meal before getting back on the road.

Not only demonstrate to your kids how you do not drive distracted, but also explain the dangers of doing it. If you find yourself riding along with a friend or family member, speak up if the driver is using an electronic device while driving. Offer to deliver their text message for them, act as the co-pilot or make the phone call.

If we all practice safe driving habits, we will all be better off.

Wickline Insurance was founded in 1991 and is a leader in West Virginia with providing quality protection to hundreds of families across the state. Our Beckley, WV office can issue policies over the phone, so even if you’re not in the area, our knowledgeable, licensed insurance agents can help. We offer insurance products including auto, home, health, business and life in West Virginia. We make sure that you're covered today as well as in the future so that you can focus on what is important to you and your family. At Wickline Insurance, our #1 job is to assist you in identifying your needs and problems, while putting together a customized plan that's simple and easy to understand.