Traffic accidents are rising at a record rate – and distracted driving could be the main culprit behind the uptick.
Deadly auto accidents have surged by 14% since 2014, according to figures from Robert Gordon, senior vice president of policy development and research for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America. He also told a National Transportation Safety Board panel on Wednesday that severe accidents rose 12.2% and pedestrian deaths by 22%.
“Smartphone ownership has more than doubled over the past five years, and it is not surprising that the percent of accidents involving phone distractions has increased, but we believe the real increase is far more than the official statistics,” said Gordon as quoted by Bloomberg BNA.
Google Chrome, Netflix and Google’s YouTube are among the top 10 mobile apps used while people are driving, according to data from Insurtech.
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But more drivers on the roads may also be a cause of the rise, Bob Hunter, director of insurance for the Consumer Federation of America, previously told Bloomberg BNA.
In an effort to address the problem, Gordon called for harsher penalties for distracted driving.
“Just a $200 ticket isn’t going to cut it… you need a sustained advertising campaign,” he said.
Distracted driving claimed 3,477 lives and caused 391,000 injuries in 2015, according to figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“During daylight hours, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones while driving. That creates enormous potential for deaths and injuries on US roads. Teens were the largest age group reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes,” said NHTSA.
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