Driver Distraction Driver distraction can sometimes seem like an abstract idea. But the problem is all too real and well documented. A recent survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that lack of attention is at the root of 80% of road accidents. It's a worrisome statistic. Driver distraction takes many forms. Cell phone use is one of them. According to the NHTSA survey, using a handheld cell phone while driving increases the risk of a collision threefold. In fact, in many cases a driver on a cell phone has the same reduced faculties as a driver under the influence of alcohol… it's a very sobering thought. The insurance industry salutes the April 1 entry into force of new legislation barring the use of handheld cell phones while driving. It is also important to keep in mind that other behaviours that can seem harmless also pose a threat to road safety. Reading and putting on makeup-both simple acts on their own-triple the likelihood of a traffic accident when combined with driving. Reaching for a moving object, such as a water bottle that is rolling on the back seat, increases the risk of a collision nine fold. Most vehicles are equipped with beverage holders. Use them. Fatigue is another factor that impacts the ability to drive. Being overtired reduces a driver's reaction time, alertness and judgment. The result is an increased risk of having an accident. Lack of sleep combined with driving a car is a lethal mix to be avoided: going for more than 17 consecutive hours without sleep is comparable to having a blood alcohol level of 0.05%; going without sleep for over 24 hours is equivalent to having a blood alcohol level of 0.1% (well above the legal limit of 0.08%). Here is an alarming fact: one out of five Canadians (20%) admits to having fallen asleep at the wheel in the last year. This sad admission is reflected in the death toll on highways. Driver fatigue is responsible for hundreds of deaths on Québec roads every year. Driving a car remains a complex task that requires a driver's full attention. We can all play an active role in limiting risky behaviour behind the wheel. However, despite taking precautions and behaving responsibly, everyone can experience a moment of distraction that can cause an accident. In the event of an accident, remember that if you have all perils automobile insurance or collision or upset insurance, damage to your vehicle will be covered.