Plymouth Rock Assurance Leads Movement to Stop Distracted Driving in New Jersey

RED BANK, N.J., May 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- New Jersey auto insurance group Plymouth Rock Assurance has released a new distracted driving study finding that approximately 50% of passengers polled have asked a driver to stop texting while the car was in motion and nearly a third have attempted to alert the driver of another vehicle to stop texting. 

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"Our research shows that 88% of local drivers polled have witnessed other drivers using a mobile device while operating a moving vehicle," reveals Gerry Wilson, President and CEO of Plymouth Rock Management Company of New Jersey.

As part of an initiative to make the state's roads a safer place by exposing the dangers of distracted driving, Plymouth Rock is bringing virtual driving simulators to a series of area locations to demonstrate the serious consequences distracted drivers face every day. The next event will be held June 1 at Bridgewater Commons in the Lower Level Center Court from 11 am to 3 pm and will be hosted by Greater Media NJ. Both the public and the media are invited to participate and join the movement to stop distracted driving.

"Distracted driving is a widespread problem," says Wilson. "Our effort to stop distracted driving is one of the many ways we work to help NJ drivers Get Home Safe."

Other findings from the Plymouth Rock Assurance Distracted Driver Survey include:

• Nearly three in ten had read or sent a text message (28%) and programmed a GPS (27%).
• Of those who read or sent a text message over the past six months, 20% admitted to doing so daily and 39% admitted to at least weekly occurrences.
• 24% of those who have texted have done so with children in the car.
• 20% personally know someone who has been in an accident which involved the use of a mobile device.
• 15% have been involved in a near accident either as a passenger or driver in a moving vehicle involving a mobile device.

Plymouth Rock is also supporting the non-profit group Nikki's Foundation - People Against Distracted Driving (PADD). This non-profit was founded in memory of Nikki Kellenyi, a National Honor Society student from Washington Township, NJ, who tragically died in an auto accident in 2012 at the age of 18. The group will have representatives at the Distracted Driving Challenge and will mobilize supporters to encourage the public to take the Distracted Driving Challenge.

PADD was helpful in advocating for the passage of Nikki's Law, a bill named in Nikki's honor which authorized legislation to erect signage warning motorists that text messaging while driving is prohibitedunder state law. The bill passed the General Assembly on April 29 and was sponsored by Assemblyman John Wisniewski with co-sponsors Paul Moriarty, Vincent Prieto, and Herb Conaway. Currently, the organization is working to create and install "Stay Alive Don't Text and Drive" signs along significant roadsides, billboards, and businesses. The group is continually working to spread the awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, providing support for the families affected by such tragedies, and passing new laws for stricter enforcement and punishment of distracted-driving-related offenses.

For more information about the survey or events, contact Valerie Simon at vsimon@plymouthrock.com or 908-219-5089. For more information about Plymouth Rock, go to PlymouthRockNJ.com or visit us on Facebook or Twitter.

Plymouth Rock Assurance is a marketing name used by a group of separate companies that write and manage property and casualty insurance in multiple states. Insurance in New Jersey is underwritten by High Point Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Teachers Auto Insurance Company of New Jersey, Palisades Safety and Insurance Association, and their affiliates. Each company is financially responsible only for its own insurance products. Actual coverage is subject to the language of the policies as issued by each company.

SOURCE Plymouth Rock Assurance