New Distracted Driving Initiatives Praised by Shop Insurance Canada

April 26, 2016 – Shop Insurance Canada (ShopInsuranceCanada.ca) is impressed by recent initiatives to combat distracted driving, and says they are steps in the right direction. The auto insurance expert says that a New Zealand based advertising campaign and a recent call to arms in Canada will help raise awareness about one of the major killers on Ontarian roads.

Distracted driving is a major problem in Canada, with the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) saying that fatalities resulting from distracted driving rose by 26 per cent over the last decade. Indeed, accidents caused by drivers looking at cellular devices is the chief cause of injury or death on Canadian roads, and statistics on a global level are similar.

The New Zealand Transport Agency has approached the fight against distracted driving in a novel way, with a public awareness video that puts the emphasis on love. The video shows passengers giving drivers their hand whenever they go to reach for the phone to answer a text, suggesting that the safety of the occupants is more important than the message.

Shop Insurance Canada says the advertising campaign shows that distracted driving is not worth the potential consequence. The clip achieves success without needing to show accidents, a typical tactic for other public awareness campaigns.

The expert adds that a recent proposal by TIRF should be adopted. The organizations proposed the use of social media to shame those found guilty of distracted driving, by posting images of them onto law enforcement pages. Shop Insurance Canada says the approach is a fantastic way to show there is a personal impact from distracted driving, adding that public shaming could be a more potent deterrent than fines.

It is important that drivers understand the risks of distracted driving, with even hands free kits posing problems when operating a vehicle. Aside from the risk of injury or death to drivers or others, distracted driving can have an impact on insurance costs. Repeat offenders can be punished with higher premiums, while those who cause and accident while distracted may not be fully covered by their policy and will undoubtedly see auto insurance rates increase upon renewal.

About Shop Insurance Canada
Shop Insurance Canada is a Toronto based company that specializes in delivering the best auto insurance products to customers around Ontario and Canada. The online auto insurance quoting tool uses an engine that is easy to use and accurate enough to deliver the best auto insurance quotes from over 25 of Canada's leading providers. Shop Insurance Canada also offers expert advice on the auto insurance industry, as well as guides and news to help customers find the best deal possible.