American Property Casualty Insurance Association: Road Rules – Safety This Summer – InsuranceNewsNet

InsuranceNewsNet — Your Industry. One Source.™

Sign in
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Home Now reading Newswires
Topics
    • Life Insurance News
    • Annuity News
    • Health/Employee Benefits
    • Property and Casualty
    • Advisor News
    • Washington Wire
    • Regulation News
    • Sponsored Articles
    • Monthly Focus
  • INN Exclusives
  • NewsWires
  • Magazine
  • Webinars
  • Free Newsletters
Sign in or register to be an INNsider.
  • Exclusives
  • NewsWires
  • Magazine
  • Webinars
  • Free Newsletters
  • Insider Pro
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Staff
  • Contact
  • Newsletters

Get Social

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
Newswires
Newswires RSS Get our newsletter
Order Prints
June 20, 2020 Newswires No comments
Share
Share
Tweet
Email

American Property Casualty Insurance Association: Road Rules – Safety This Summer

Targeted News Service

WASHINGTON, June 20 -- The American Property Casualty Insurance Association issued the following statement by President and CEO David A. Sampson on auto safety in anticipation of increased road travel during the summer months:

"Summer travel will look very different this year. The new normal calls for social distancing and face masks, but it must also include a renewed commitment to auto safety. COVID-19 could be unknowingly adding more dangers on the roads for motorists and pedestrians."

"The summer months already are considered some of the most dangerous on America's roads. For example, nationwide, more than 8,000 people died in crashes involving teen drivers from 2008 to 2018 during the "100 Deadliest Days," the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, according to AAA. This year, an expected increase in road trips interfacing with more distracted, intoxicated, and speeding drivers, along with higher volumes of pedestrians, could make for a dangerous combination."

Related stories

  • Paul Merchants Partners with Care Health Insurance
  • State Farm, Progressive stop insuring some Kias, Hyundais after rampant thefts [Springfield News-Sun, Ohio]

APCIA will issue a series of Auto Safety messages over the summer months to support drivers and encourage proper safety precautions. APCIA encourages drivers to make safety a priority when they get behind the wheel.

Watch for pedestrian and cyclists: According to a 2020 report from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), pedestrian deaths caused by drivers increased 50 percent in the past decade, reaching a 30-year high in 2019. As more Americans look for ways to stay active while at home, there are more pedestrians and cyclists on the road. Drivers should be alert and use caution when approaching crosswalks and traveling near walk trails or parks.

Follow the speed limit: High speeds can significantly increase the severity of a crash. According to the National Safety Council, emptier roads became more lethal in March of 2020. While the actual number of miles driven dropped, many states experienced notable increases in the number of roadway deaths.

Media reports also stated that authorities saw an increase in excessive speeds primarily on highways (https://coloradosun.com/2020/04/17/colorado-drivers-speeding-coronavirus-cannonball-run/), but also on city streets.

Eliminate distractions: Removing your eyes from the road for just two seconds can double the risk of a crash, according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Drivers should keep their eyes and attention on the road and hands on the wheel by programming their GPS or navigation before starting their commute and not using their cell phones while driving. According to data analytics organization, Zendrive, it is estimated that drivers increased phone usage by approximately 38 percent during the first 5 weeks of COVID-19, compared to the 5 weeks prior to the beginning of the pandemic.

Talk to your teen new drivers. Remind them that distracted driving and phone usage have no place behind the wheel. Set an example on your own behalf by preparing in advance for road trips, reacquainting yourself with state regulations, and eliminating distractions. Graduations and summer plans may have been disrupted by the pandemic, but that is no excuse to turn milestone celebrations into unfortunate tragedy.

Don't drive under the influence and plan ahead: According to a survey by research firm Nielsen, on-line alcohol sales during the COVID-19 pandemic were up as much as 200 percent. Without exception, when making plans, designate a driver and always refrain from operating a vehicle if you have used alcohol or other substances.

Share the roads safely with large trucks: As the demand for essential items increases, truckers and commercial carriers are on the road keeping goods moving and supporting the supply chain during COVID-19. Drivers of passenger vehicles should share the road safely, and remember that trucks have blind spots, make wider turns, and require additional stopping distance. The American Trucking Association reminds drivers that COVID-19 makes it difficult to predict traffic volumes and that we all share the responsibility on the roads.

For drivers involved in a crash, APCIA recommends calling your auto insurer as soon as possible. Insurers have implemented contingency and continuity plans to protect their employees and reduce service interruptions. Insurers are:

* Adopting new technologies and remote solutions to minimize any interruptions in service and paying claims, such as using virtual inspection technology to complete damage inspections.

* Prepared to be as flexible as possible within the terms of the policy, should there be any delays in vehicle repairs for reasons that are out of the control of the insurer, vehicle owner, or repair facility.

* Limiting personal contact to protect their customers, employees, as well as collision repair facility personnel.

The American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) is the primary national trade association for home, auto, and business insurers. APCIA promotes and protects the viability of private competition for the benefit of consumers and insurers, with a legacy dating back 150 years. APCIA members represent all sizes, structures, and regions--protecting families, communities, and businesses in the U.S. and across the globe.

Older

Speaker Pelosi Issues Statement on Amicus Brief in District Court Affordable Care Act Special Enrollment Case

Newer

American Property Casualty Insurance Association: Insurers Encourage Consumers With Financial Difficulties to Talk to Their Agent or Company

Advisor News

  • Some major REITs limiting cash-out requests from investors
  • Four stages of retirement planning
  • Can you work while on Social Security?
  • Even on $100K-plus, more Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck
  • Opinion: the state wealth-tax alliance
More Advisor News

Annuity News

  • Sweet streams of income: ChatGPT, the bard of annuities
  • F&G Annuities & Life announces equity investment in life IMO SYNCIS
  • Investors scrambling to lock in rates propel annuity sales to record highs
  • North American and Annexus launch new fixed index annuity
  • Producers stew as insurers slow to process life and annuity applications
More Annuity News

Health/Employee Benefits News

  • Medicaid coverage is expiring for millions of Americans – but there's a proven way to keep many of them insured
  • Health savings account balances increase in 2021
  • Outcome Health trial gets underway with prosecutors alleging former execs were involved in $1 billion fraud scheme
  • Bill incentivizing gun owners to secure firearms addresses public health concern
  • With CalPERS, add another to list of California's botched projects
More Health/Employee Benefits News

Life Insurance News

  • NAIFA’s Future Leaders Program offers free sessions for students
  • Scott Boutin named president of Standard Security Life
  • Agent insists Alex Murdaugh suggested he killed his son
  • 78% of families suffer financially handling estate affairs
  • National Life expands living benefits suite
Sponsor
More Life Insurance News
The time is 05:46:25am test

- Presented By -

Top Read Stories

  • Investors scrambling to lock in rates propel annuity sales to record highs
  • Chicago news roundup: PPP fraud uncovered in Chicago, informant reveals $100K bounty on FBG Duck and more
  • For some, nothing to fear from taking RMDs, professor says
  • North Carolina businessman pleads guilty in multi-million tax fraud case
  • Study: Education level should drive decisions on Social Security, annuities
More Top Read Stories >

FEATURED OFFERS

Meet Encova Life
We know agents matter. You can count on our life team to be high tech, high touch and responsive.

How to Write For InsuranceNewsNet

Find out how you can submit content for publishing on our website.
View Guidelines

Topics

  • Life Insurance News
  • Annuity News
  • Health/Employee Benefits
  • Property and Casualty
  • Advisor News
  • Washington Wire
  • Regulation News
  • Sponsored Articles
  • Monthly Focus

Top Sections

  • Life Insurance News
  • Annuity News
  • Health/Employee Benefits News
  • Property and Casualty News
  • AdvisorNews
  • Washington Wire
  • Insurance Webinars

Our Company

  • About
  • Editorial Staff
  • Magazine
  • Write for INN
  • Advertise
  • Contact

Sign up for our FREE e-Newsletter!

Get breaking news, exclusive stories, and money- making insights straight into your inbox.

select Newsletter Options
Facebook Linkedin Twitter
© 2023 InsuranceNewsNet.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • AdvisorNews

Sign in with your Insider Pro Account

Not registered? Become an Insider Pro.