04-04-19

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

The Illinois Insurance Association urges motorists to avoid distractions and drive with focus.

Illinois roadways have become dangerous, even deadly for an increasing number of police officers this year. The Illinois Insurance Association, a property casualty trade association, urges motorists to protect emergency responders and others by following traffic laws and committing to driving with focus. Driving distractions contribute to thousands of accidents each year. The result is often costly property damage, personal injury, even death.

The month of April is deemed National Distracted Driving Awareness Month to bring attention to the issue of distracted driving. There were 12,541 distracted driving-related motor vehicle crashes in Illinois in 2015 according to Illinois Department of Transportation statistics. These crashes injured 5,044 people and killed 21 individuals. Kevin Martin, Executive Director of the Illinois Insurance Association, encouraged motorists to take a stand against this pervasive issue.

The IIA's Kevin Martin said, "Distracted driving causes problems for motorists as well as first responders, tow truck operators and construction workers. The Illinois Insurance Association and its member companies encourage drivers to avoid distractions and remain fully engaged behind the wheel."

There are three broad categories of distractions that affect driving concentration. A visual distraction causes the motorist to take eyes off the road. A manual distraction results in the driver taking hands off the steering wheel. A cognitive distraction takes the motorist’s thoughts off driving. Driving distractions often involve all three areas.

Cell phones are an obvious distraction, but motorists face countless others every time they get in the car. Some distractions come from within the vehicle. These are activities like fine tuning temperature and audio controls, reading panel displays or navigational devices, snacking, talking to passengers, tending to children or pets, adjusting electronic devices, grooming and countless more. Other distractions are external disruptions that come from road signs, billboard displays, construction work, scenery and fellow travelers. Daydreaming and drowsiness also cause drivers to lose focus.

It is impossible to eliminate driving distractions altogether, but there are ways to reduce the risk. Martin encouraged to consider the following ideas:

• Make a conscious and deliberate decision to focus only on driving each time you get behind the steering wheel.
• Address potential distractions before putting the car in gear. Adjust seat position, climate control, audio system and mirror to your liking. Program the GPS. Organize money for tolls, food, drinks, music and other items that might be accessed during the trip. Check for loose gear that might roll inside the vehicle. Properly stow these items.
• Hands free does not mean distraction free. Place your cell phone on silent, turn it off or consider installing an app that holds calls and texts while in route. Never text while driving.

The Illinois Insurance Association’s Executive Director concluded, “National Driving Distraction Awareness Month serves as a reminder that we all must do our part to make Illinois’ highways safe. Drivers that are distracted put everyone at risk. Instead, commit to being fully alert and ready to react when unexpected situations arise.”

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11-15-18

Tips for Sharing the Road with Deer

Motorists are urged to drive cautiously in the weeks ahead

November is a month when deer are prone to appear along rural roads, highways and interstates suddenly and without warning. Seeing a deer is startling. Motorists may have just seconds to react. The Illinois Insurance Hotline, an industry-sponsored consumer resource, offered tips to help drivers reach their destinations safely.

Most important, do not swerve to avoid hitting the deer. It is never a good idea to suddenly change the direction of a moving vehicle. A sharp turn of the steering wheel may cause the driver to lose control. There is more risk of critical injury and major vehicle damage if you crash into a bridge, post, tree or oncoming car. Instead, take your foot off the gas, hold the steering wheel tight, maintain a straight course and brace for impact with the deer. There will be vehicle damage, but you are less likely to be hurt in the crash.

Other deer-related driving strategies:

• Pay extra attention to the road when deer are most active, 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
• Deer are known to congregate in certain locations - wooded areas, field edges and near water. Be alert driving through these areas.
• Drive with high beam headlights at night when possible.
• Slow down and honk the horn if you see a deer along the roadside. More are probably nearby.
• Always wear a seatbelt and insist passengers do the same.
• Call 911 for assistance if you hit a deer. Request medical help if you or your passengers are injured.
• Pull your damaged vehicle to the side of the road an turn on emergency flashers. Remain in your car until help arrives. Do not touch the injured animal.

Vehicle owners often turn to an auto insurance company for assistance following a deer crash. The Illinois Insurance Hotline reminded policyholders to find out what is and is not covered before an accident. For example, a liability-only policy does not pay for repairs to the policyholder's vehicle. Liability coverage is required by law and pays when the policyholder is legally responsible for another person's crash-related damages. A vehicle owner with liability -only coverage must pay vehicle repairs for a deer-related crash out-of-pocket.

The vehicle owner's auto policy must have physical damage coverage to share deer-related repair expenses with the insurance company. Physical damage is divided into two separate coverages - comprehensive and collision. Both typically have deductibles. A deer accident is covered as a comprehensive claim if there is evidence of direct contact with the deer. Without this, the crash is a collision loss. Comprehensive claims generally do not affect the policy premium. A surcharge is likely following a collision claim. Check with your local auto insurance agent for specifics.

The Illinois Insurance Hotline also recommends policyholders be familiar with their duties following a loss. Among these responsibilities:

• Report the loss to the local agent or company representative as soon as possible if you have the appropriate coverage.
• Check your deductible as this is how much you must pay out-of-pocket to repair the vehicle. The comprehensive deductible applies if you hit the deer. Otherwise, the loss is a collision claim.
• Cooperate with the claim adjuster's investigation. Insurance adjusters are tasked with confirming insurance coverage applies to the loss, assessing damage, determining how the crash occurred and authorizing a claim settlement. Provide credible, details information to speed the process.

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08-08-18

Tips to Make School Traffic Zones Safer

IIA reminds motorists to drive with caution as children return to school in the coming weeks.

Adopting good back-to-school habit applies to drivers across Illinois as well as students.

Keeping school traffic zones safe should be a top priority for motorists. On average, 131 Americans die every year in school transportation-related crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Seventy-five percent of crashes involving young pedestrians occur between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., when children are on their way to and home from school.

School traffic safety requires collaboration at many levels. The insurance industry, along with school officials, parents, police officers and man others, wants children to be safe when getting to and from school. The Illinois Insurance Association provides a comprehensive list of tips designed to reduce the number of school transportation-related accidents this school year.

IIA asks drivers to observe the following rules for back-to-school traffic safety.

• Never pass a stopped school bus from either direction unless you are on the other side of a divided highway.
• When stopping behind a school bus, leave at least 10 feet between your car and the bus. Watch for children in the roadway before continuing your trip, even after the school bus has retracted its stop sign.
• Follow school zone speed limits and be alert for crossing guards and children who may be distracted or crossing where there is no crosswalk.
• Never block a crosswalk, especially in a school zone, while stopped at a red light or waiting to turn.
• When dropping off or picking up your own students, follow the school's rules. Don't double-park or block crosswalks. Drop off children on the same side of the street as the school building so they don't have to cross the street. Carpool whenever possible to reduce traffic near the school.
• Be especially watchful for children riding bicycles to and from school. When approaching an intersection to turn left, wait for a bicyclist riding toward you to pass before you make your turn. Watch for bikes when preparing to back up and when opening your car door into the street.
• Stay off the phone and avoid other distractions behind the wheel, especially while driving in a school zone. Children can behave unpredictably around roadways, and no matter who technically has the right of way, it is a driver's responsibility to avoid collisions with pedestrians.
• If you have school-age children or grandchildren, talk to them about traffic safety. Teach them to cross only at crosswalks, obey crossing guards and remain alert - with headphones off and electronic devices put away - while walking or bicycling in high-traffic areas.

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04-10-18

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month: IIA Honors Representative John D'Amico

Association Reminds Illinois Drivers to "Just Drive"

Springfield, IL - This April, the Illinois Insurance Association (IIA) is joining with its member insurance companies, law enforcement and community leaders to remind Illinois motorists of all ages to focus on the road while driving. The awareness campaign coincides with the IIA's annual lobby day activities that includes recognition of State Representative John D'Amico as legislator of the year.

"The Illinois Insurance Association and its member insurance companies are committed to helping Illinois motorists stay safe and choosing to avoid distractions is something simple all drivers can do to increase their chances of avoiding an accident and getting home alive," said Kevin Martin, IIA Executive Director.

"Illinois motorists across the state have found a faithful advocate in Representative D'Amico," said Elise Spriggs, Chair of IIA. "During Distracted Driving Awareness month, we honor him as a safe driving champion with years of effective advocacy for safer roads."

Representative D'Amico was chosen as legislator of the year for traffic safety work that spans over ten years. Most recently he spearheaded policies and practices that discourage distracted driving including banning hand-held devices and passing a ban on texting while driving.

His legislative biography also includes work on the Graduated Drivers License program that has contributed to a 50 percent drop in teen fatalities since 2007. Other lifesaving policies include his work on the Blood Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device that has contributed to a 67 percent reduction in repeat drunk driving offenses.

John D'Amico was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2005. He currently serves as Chairman of the Illinois House Transportation: Vehicle and Safety Committee.

"It is great to see insurance companies and safety advocates raise awareness to the problem of distracted driving on Illinois roadways," said Representative D'Amico. "I am proud of the work we've done in the General Assembly on this issue and remain committed to improving traffic safety in the future."

Every day in the United States, distracted driving - engaging in any activity that takes attention away from driving - claims an average of nine lives and injures more than 1,000 drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Driving distractions can include texting, but also eating, adjusting the radio or GPS, speaking on a hand-held phone, talking with passengers, or anything else that takes the motorist's eyes or focus off the road.

"The number of deadly traffic accidents has increased sharply in the past two years. The Illinois Insurance Association, Representative D'Amico and other advocates across the state want drivers to know they can make decisions to keep from becoming part of that statistic," said Spriggs. "From new apps to eating on the run, life in 2018 presents countless reasons for drivers to lose focus behind the steering wheel. Don't fall for the distractions. Just drive."

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09-14-17

Illinois Insurance Association Offers Back-to-School Traffic Safety Tips

(Springfield) - As students across the state engage in their first full month back to school, they aren't the only Illinoisans who need to get back in the school habit this month, according to the Illinois Insurance Association; so do drivers.

Every year on average, 142 Americans die in school transportation-related crashes, and September is the deadliest month for pedestrians under the age of 18. Forty percent of crashes involving young pedestrians occur between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., when children make their way home from school and after-school activities.

'Even one child injured or killed on the way to or from school is too many, so we are reminding drivers to stay alert and practice safe driving habits around schools, school buses and students on foot," said Kevin Martin, Executive Director of the Illinois Insurance Association. "We believe following these tips will save lives this September and for the rest of the school year."

IIA is asking Illinois drivers to follow these rules for back-to-school traffic safety:

• Never pass a stopped school bus from either direction unless you are on the other side of a divided highway.
• When stopping behind a school bus, leave at least 10 feet between your car and the bus. Watch for children in the roadway before continuing your trip, even after the school bus has retracted its stop sign.
• Follow school zone speed limits, and be alert for crossing guards and children who may be distracted or crossing where there is no crosswalk.
• Never block a crosswalk, especially in a school zone, while stopped at a red light or waiting to turn.
• When dropping off or picking up your own students, follow the school's rules. Don't double-park or block crosswalks. Drop off children on the same side of the street as the school building so they don't have to cross the street. Carpool whenever possible to reduce traffic near the school.
• Be especially watchful for children riding bicycles to and from school. When approaching an intersection to turn left, wait for a bicyclist riding toward you to pass before you make your turn. Watch for bikes when preparing to back up and when opening your car door into the street.
• Stay off the phone and avoid other distractions behind the wheel, especially while driving in a school zone. Children can behave unpredictably around roadways, and no matter who technically has the right of way, it is a driver's responsibility to avoid collisions with pedestrians.
• If you have school-age children or grandchildren, talk to them about traffic safety. Teach them to cross only at crosswalks, obey crossing guards and remain alert - with headphones off and electronic devices put away - while walking or bicycling in high-traffic areas.

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12-14-16

IIA Tips for Safer Holiday Travel

As Illinois families it the road this holiday season to see friends and relatives, the Illinois Insurance Association (IIA) wants to remind drivers of a few travel safety tips that will help prevent car accidents and save them money.

"Nearly two million drivers will travel across the state this month. It is during the holidays that the insurance industry records the highest number of car accidents throughout the year," said IIA Executive director, Kevin Martin. "We are committed to helping Illinois drivers stay safe during this joyous season, which is why we have compiled the following list of tips for safer holiday travel."

- Prior to your scheduled trip, make sure your vehicle has had all necessary service and maintenance inspections. If your vehicle is not reliable for a long trip, consider renting one to help prevent further wear and tear or a potential break-down or accident.

- Check to ensure your auto insurance is up to date and that you have a valid insurance card in your vehicle prior to leaving. You might also consider adding roadside assistance if you do not currently have it.

- Plan your travel schedule and route a few days prior to departure. Consider leaving earlier or later than the popular times to avoid busy roads and heavy traffic. Additionally, share your route with someone back home in case of emergency.

- Pack all necessary tools and gadgets for a safe and comfortable trip such as a reliable navigation system, cellphone and charger, snow scraper, first-aid kit, jumper cables, spare tire, extra blankets, snacks and water.

- Properly retrain yourself and passengers in seat belts or car seat prior to departure. Remember th safest place for children to sit is in the rear seat of your vehicle.

- Stay alert when driving long distances. Make sure to schedule rest stops in your travel plan to avoid tiredness and a potential accident.

- Respect the rules of the road, which includes following the speed limit, stopping completely at stop signs an lights, and not using your cell phone while driving. Distracted driving is the number one cause of accidents across the country.

- Keep valuables and gifts locked in your trunk and covered to avoid a break-in at stops along your trip.

- Make sure to designate a sober driver if there will be drinking at a holiday function.

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10-17-16

Springfield, IL—The Illinois Insurance Association (IIA) joins the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) during National Teen Driver Safety Week (October 16-22) to promote teen safe driving and the national “5 to Drive” campaign, which is an initiative to teach young drivers the rules of the road.

“Distracted and impaired driving are the two leading causes of teen driving-related fatalities and injuries each year,” said IIA Director Kevin Martin. “The Illinois Insurance Association and its members are committed to helping promote teen-safe driving initiatives that will improve safety on Illinois roadways. The NHTSA’s ‘5 to Drive’ campaign is an excellent initiative that offers parents and caregivers some tips to talk to their teen drivers about dangerous driving behaviors that can lead to devastating consequences.”

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in teens, ahead of all other types of injury, disease or violence. In 2014, 2,679 teen (15-19 years old) passenger vehicle drivers were involved in fatal traffic crashes, resulting in 3,004 deaths nationally. An estimated 123,000 teen passenger vehicle drivers were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes.

Since 2014, Illinois has worked to reduce the number of distracted driving accidents by legislating a ban on the use of all hand-held devices while driving. Anyone who is caught using a hand-held device is subject to a fine starting at $75. Parents can play an important role in helping ensure their teen drivers take smart steps to stay safe on the road by explaining all driving restrictions outlined in Illinois’ graduated driver licensing (GDL) law and the deadly consequences of unsafe driving practices.

The NHTSA “5 to Drive” campaign gives parents tips on how to talk about safe driving behaviors with their teens and address the five most dangerous and deadly driving behaviors for teen drivers: alcohol, lack of seat belt use, distracted driving, speeding, and extra passengers, said Martin.

NHTSA’s website, www.safercar.gov/parents, has detailed information and statistics on teen driving and five basic rules parents can use to help save the lives of teen drivers:

1. No Drinking and Driving. All teens are too young to legally buy or possess alcohol, but they are still at risk. Nationally in 2014, one out of five teen passenger vehicle drivers (15 to 19 years old) involved in fatal crashes had been drinking. Remind your teen that

driving under the influence of any impairing substance, including illicit or prescription drugs, could have deadly consequences.

1. Buckle Up. Every Trip, Every Time, Everyone—Front Seat and Back. Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest ways for teens to stay safe in a vehicle. Yet, too many teens News Releasesare not buckling up and neither are their passengers. In 2014, there were 763 passengers killed in passenger vehicles driven by teen (15-19 years old) drivers, and 59 percent of those passengers who died were NOT buckled up at the time of the fatal crash. When the teen driver was also unrestrained, the percentage of those passengers who were not restrained jumped to almost 86 percent. Remind your teen that it’s important for everyone to buckle up on every trip, every time, no matter what.

1. Eyes on the Road, Hands on the Wheel. All the Time. – Distractions while driving are more than just risky—they can be deadly. In 2014, among teen passenger vehicle drivers (15-19 years old) involved in fatal crashes, 10 percent were reported as distracted at the time of the crash. Remind your teen about the dangers of texting, dialing, or using mobile apps while driving. But distracted driving isn’t limited to cell phone use. Other passengers, audio and climate controls in the vehicle, and eating or drinking while driving, are all examples of dangerous distractions for teen drivers.

1. Stop Speeding Before It Stops You. Speeding is a critical issue for all drivers, especially teens. In 2014, almost one-third (30%) of teen passenger vehicle drivers involved in a fatal crash were speeding at the time of the crash. Remind your teen to drive within the speed limit.

1. No More Than One Passenger at a Time. Extra passengers in a teen’s car can lead to disastrous results. According to data analyzed by NHTSA, teen drivers were two-and-a-half times more likely to engage in one or more potentially risky behaviors when driving with one teenage peer compared to when driving alone. And the likelihood of teen drivers engaging in risky behaviors triples when traveling with multiple passengers.

Parents can help protect their teen drivers by talking with them about these risks. Surveys show that teens whose parents set firm rules for driving typically engage in less risky driving behaviors and are involved in fewer crashes.

“Safe-driving campaigns and state laws are not enough to protect teen drivers. It is imperative that parents help properly prepare young drivers before they get behind the wheel,” said Kevin Martin. “IIA and its members will continue to promote and support teen-safe driving initiatives not only in the month of October, but throughout the year.”

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08-23-16

ICYMI: Illinois governor signs legislation curbing bad towing practices

(Springfield, Ill.) - Reprieve for Illinois car owners and insurance companies from rogue towers is the aim of legislation approved by Governor Bruce Rauner on August 19, 2016. Strengthening the penalty against individuals or companies that improperly solicit to tow, Senate Bill 2261 provides several consumer protections and legal enhancements to victims of abusive towing and vehicle storage practices.

Illinois Insurance Association (IIA), Executive Director Kevin Martin, applauds Gov. Rauner for his support of this important piece of legislation that will save consumers and insurers millions of dollars a year. “The support we garnered from both sides of the aisle and the Governor on this issue was critical in helping stop the abusive practices of rogue towing in Chicago and across the state. We look forward to continuing to work with the Governor to pass future laws that protect both insurers and consumers.”

This law tackles a major problem in the Chicago area, as several towing companies have continued to abuse the system by showing up at a scene of an accident and towing a vehicle without notice. Car owners and insurance companies are then forced to pay anywhere between $2,000 and $3,000 to reclaim their vehicle after days and even weeks of attempting to locate it.

Under Senate Bill 2261, car insurance companies would be able to bring a claim against rogue tow companies on behalf of policyholders. The new provision gives insurance companies the ability to sue towing companies for all costs and expenses associated with an improper tow. Additionally, a person or company who improperly solicits to tow at an accident scene would be guilty of a Class 4 felony rather than a business offense with fines capped at $1000.

Another important aspect of Senate Bill 2261 is that it also creates the 16-member Statewide Relocation Towing Licensure Commission—charged with evaluating current towing laws, identifying problems, and making recommendations to the Governor and the Illinois General Assembly by July 1, 2017.

Senate Bill 2261 goes into effect immediately.

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