Jacob Eastlick

What is an Independent Insurance Agent? Everything You Need to Know

By Jacob Eastlick on August 5, 2021 0

You need insurance. We all do. In some cases it’s required by law, in others it’s required by the unwritten code of being a responsible adult that owns things. So, what’s the best way to buy it?

Online or with an agent?

What kind of agent – independent or captive?

Oh, and what does this all mean?

We think life is complicated enough; your insurance doesn’t have to be.

What is an independent insurance agent?

An independent insurance agent is a trained and licensed professional that tailors programs to meet their customer’s specific needs. They can do this because they work with many insurance carriers, rather than just one. They are locally based and operate out of their own local insurance agency.

This may surprise some people, but an independent agent is a small-business owner. Agents are not an employee of the insurance companies whose products they offer. The insurance agency is often run by a few agents and administrative staff members. Oftentimes it’s family owned. Another misconception is that they sell their own insurance products. They do not. Instead, they work on behalf of their customers to obtain policies from insurance companies.

Now, it’s important to point out that every insurance agency you see is not an independent agency. There are also captive/exclusive agencies that operate differently. If you want to find independent agents in your area we recommend using our Agency Locator tool.

What’s the difference between independent insurance agents and other insurance agents?

The main difference is that independent insurance agents offer more choices than captive/exclusive insurance agents. Captive/exclusive agents offer only one insurance company’s products. This means they can only place your policy with that one company. Independent agents, on the other hand, have options. They can place your policy with one of the several insurance companies they work with to make sure your unique needs are met.

Summary: Independent insurance agents help you find a policy with one of the several insurance companies they work with at their agency. Other, captive or exclusive, insurance agents can help you find a policy with the one insurance company they work with at their agency.

Get Started: Find an independent insurance agent near me

So, what’s the best way to buy insurance? If you ask us, an independent insurance agent!

At Auto-Owners, we are committed to offering our insurance products solely through independent agents because of the many advantages they offer you.

What advantages? Glad you asked.

1. Your local independent agency is your one-stop shop for all types of insurance. Since independent agents offer a variety of insurance products from several insurance companies, you are more likely to be able to handle all of your insurance needs in one place rather than trying to coordinate with businesses all over town. Most independent agencies offer life, home, car and business insurance. This means you may only need one point of contact for all your policies.

2. Local support from somebody you know. Many customers share stories about their independent agent being the first one on the scene after losing their home to a storm or fire. Agents take their job seriously, especially when their customers experience a loss. They know you personally and are ready to help when you need it most. For many agents, this is why they became insurance agents – to help people during hard times.

3. You can have the same point of contact even if you want to switch insurance providers. Let’s say you are interested in changing your insurance. When you have an independent agent, you don’t have to go back to the drawing board. Instead, you can call the same agency and they can help coordinate the switch. This means you can often stay with your same agent even if you switch insurance providers. This way you can continue to work with the person you’ve built a relationship with and who knows your needs.

Read: Making the Auto Insurance Switch

4. Your independent agent knows your community, because it’s their community too. Independent agents live and work in your community, maybe even in your neighborhood. This means they personally understand the insurance needs specific to your area. This is extremely valuable since insurance requirements vary from state to state. Your local, independent agent can offer you more personalized guidance than a 1-800 number or website can.

5. Expert advice means you’ll have confidence and peace of mind. Do you really want a flashy website form and an automated formula to be what stands between you and financial distress in the event of a claim? With an independent agent, you will receive expert guidance from their experience. And, if you need to file a claim you will know whom to call. Not to mention, if you have questions about your policy you can call your agent. This beats waiting on hold for what feels like forever just to get a simple question answered.

6. You get insurance that fits your needs rather than a one-size-fits-all policy. When you call or visit an independent insurance agent, they will work with you to review several options for your insurance. This allows them to focus on finding a policy that fits your needs rather than fitting your needs into what one insurance company offers.

7. Working with a local, independent agent means you are supporting a local business. Most independent agencies are locally owned. Many agencies are owned and operated by a family from your community. So, when you call the agency to find your policy or inquire about a potential claim you are likely calling a familiar area code rather than a 1-800 number.

What about all those cheap and easy options I see online?

We’re not going to pretend there isn’t an option to buy insurance online, directly from other insurance companies. Because, well, there is. They like to tote that insurance can be cheap and easy. They say you can get a quote fast and get the cheapest coverage.

But, let’s take a second and ask ourselves if “cheap and easy” is how we want to describe one of the most important financial decisions we make in our adult lives? Does cheap and easy give you confidence?

Alternatively, would you find confidence in the fact that a licensed professional that knows your name has your back? The expert that you know personally did a thorough review with you when you purchased your policy. They looked it over, they know the companies and put your assets with the company they know from experience provides the coverage you need.

How do I find an independent insurance agent near me?

Ready to find an independent agent? We make it easy with our Agency Locator tool. Enter your zip code and we will show you independent agents near you right on the map. From there you can click on the agent’s information and contact whichever one you choose.

Get Started: Find an independent agent near me with the Agency Locator tool

How to Maintain & Extinguish Your Campfire

By Jacob Eastlick on August 5, 2021 0

A campfire can be one of the best parts of camping, or provide necessary warmth to hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts. Just don’t forget your responsibility to maintain and extinguish it to prevent wildfires.

1

Never cut whole trees or branches, dead or alive. Live materials won’t burn and dead standing trees — called “snags” — are often homes for birds and other wildlife.
2

Once you have a strong fire going, add larger pieces of dry wood to keep it burning steadily.
3

Don’t burn dangerous things like aerosol cans, pressurized containers, glass or aluminum cans. They could explode, shatter and/or create harmful fumes or dust.
4

Keep your fire to a manageable size.
5

Make sure children and pets are supervised near the fire. Never leave your campfire unattended.
6

Extinguishing Your Campfire

Allow the wood to burn completely to ash, if possible.
7

Pour lots of water on the fire. Drown ALL embers, not just the red ones. Pour until hissing sound stops.
8

If you do not have water, stir dirt or sand into the embers with a shovel to bury the fire.
9

With your shovel, scrape any remaining sticks and logs to remove any embers. Make sure that no embers are exposed and still smoldering.
10

Continue adding water, dirt or sand and stirring with a shovel until all material is cool.
11

Remember:

If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave

Pack it in, Pack it out.
It is your responsibility to pack out everything that you packed in, including any trash.

ARTICLE BY SMOKEYBEAR.COM

6 Essential Steps for Starting Your First Vegetable Garden Off Right

By Jacob Eastlick on June 16, 2021 0

Planting tomatoes, carrots, or cukes for the first time? Use this guide to help you plan, prepare, and plant a successful plot.

By Andrea Beck

Updated May 04, 2021

Vegetable gardening at home can be a way to save money while you get up close and personal with nature. For example, even just one plant can be super affordable (think $3 to $5) and provide up to 10 pounds of tomatoes over the season (which can easily run you $20 or more). Growing tomatoes and other favorite vegetables or herbs from seeds can save you even more money. You’ll also find that the flavor and texture of garden-grown produce is even better than what you’re used to finding at the grocery store. Plus, tending your vegetable garden counts as exercise! Dig into these tips and tricks to get your vegetable garden off to a strong start.

1. Start with a Small Space

If you’re a beginner gardener, start small. It’s better to be thrilled by what you produce in a small garden than be frustrated by the time commitment a big one requires. It’s also best to learn a few gardening basics before investing tons of time and money in this new hobby. You’ll get a feeling for how much time gardening takes. You’ll find out if you like spending time outside planting, watering, and weeding. You’ll learn how much produce you and your family can eat over the course of a summer.

A good size for a beginner’s vegetable garden is 6×6 feet. Select up to five types of vegetables to grow, and plant a few of each type. You’ll get plenty of fresh produce for your summer meals, and it will be easy to keep up with the chores. Growing vegetables in containers is also a good way to start out. With them you don’t even need a yard; a sunny deck or balcony work fine.

2. Grow What You Love to Eat

What do you like to eat? Your answer will tell you what you should plant in your vegetable garden. There are also a few other things to keep in mind when deciding what you want to grow.

Be Picky About Varieties

Pay close attention to the description on the seed packet, tag, or label. Each variety of vegetable comes with certain characteristics. Some produce smaller plants ideal for containers or small gardens. Other varieties offer better disease resistance, improved yields, or better heat- or cold-tolerance. Start by choosing veggies you like to eat, then look into their sizes and care needs.

Productivity

Think about how much you and your family will eat and how likely you are to freeze, can, or give away excess produce. Then be realistic about how many seeds or plants you need to put into the ground. (Many beginners make the mistake of planting too much.) Vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and squash keep providing throughout the season, so you may not need many plants to serve your needs. Other vegetables, such as carrots, radishes, and corn, can be harvested only once and then would need to be replanted.

Successive Crops

Planting both cool- and warm-weather vegetables will give you a harvest of vegetables and herbs continuously through the spring, summer, and fall. In early spring, grow lettuce, greens (such as arugula), peas, radishes, carrots, and broccoli. After you’ve harvested your cool-weather crops, plant hot-weather favorites, such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and herbs. In fall, you can harvest potatoes, cabbage, and kale.

Test Garden Tip: By planting vining crops like green beans and peas, you make use of vertical space in the garden and boost yield per square foot.

3. Choose the Spot for Your Garden

No matter where you put your garden or what you decide to plant, there are two basic requirements that your location needs to meet for the best success: water and light.

Lots of Sunlight Is a Must

Like all plants, vegetables need the sun to kick-start photosynthesis. The fastest-growing vegetables need full sun (at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day) without blockage from trees, shrubs, or fences. That’s why you won’t have much success if you plant sun-loving vegetables in shady spaces. If your yard provides partial shade, plant vegetables and herbs that tolerate those conditions, such as lettuce, kale, chard, spinach, chives, cilantro, parsley, and thyme. Root vegetables like carrots, radishes, and beets might also work if your site gets at least 4 hours of direct sunlight a day. Or if you have a sunny patio, switch to container gardening. That way you can place sun-loving vegetables and herbs such as tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, basil, dill, and rosemary, where they’ll do well.

Think About Convenient Water Access

The closer you can site your plot to a water source, the better. You’ll need to be able to water frequently during the first few weeks after seeds germinate or seedlings are transplanted to help these fragile plants produce strong roots and stems. Once your plants are established, it’s better to give your garden a long drink every few days rather than a little sprinkle every day. Then the water will move deeper into the soil, which encourages roots to grow deeper, where they’re better able to access nutrients they need to stay healthy. Consider installing soaker houses or drip irrigation on a timer to help minimize water waste and the time you need to spend watering.

4. Plan Your Vegetable Garden Layout

Choose either row cropping or intensive cropping (there are benefits to each!) when you plan your vegetable garden’s layout.

Row Cropping

Place plants single file in rows at least 18 inches apart so you can walk easily between them. This approach makes the most sense for large vegetable gardens because rows make it easier to use mechanical equipment, such as tillers, to battle weeds. The downside is that space set aside for footpaths cuts down on the number of vegetables you can plant.

Test Garden Tip: Tall plants generally do well on the north side of the garden. This includes naturally tall plants like tomatoes and plants that can be grown on vertical supports, including peas, cucumbers, and planting beans. Save money by making your own A-frame trellis for growing vegetables.

Intensive Cropping

Boost your garden’s productivity with intensive cropping, which means that you space two or three plants close together in a bed about 4 feet wide (aka a wide row). Seeds are sown or transplants are placed so that their leaves will barely touch at maturity. This approach, which uses almost every square inch of the prepared soil, works well for most types of vegetables, excluding the ones that vine (such as cucumbers). The downside of this method is that you have to weed by hand because the plants grow so close together.

The square-foot method, in which you subdivide a raised 4×4-foot garden bed into 1-foot squares using a physical grid (such as lattice strips), is a specialized version of intensive cropping. You’ll need 8 cubic feet of top-quality garden soil to fill such a bed with 6-inch-high sides. The planting formula is simple: 1 extra-large plant per 1×1-foot square; 4 large plants per square; 9 medium plants per square; and 16 small plants per square. Mix and match at will.

5. Start Plants in Rich Soil

For the best harvest, your vegetable garden needs the best soil you can give it. Rich, healthy soil is something you know when you feel it: It’s easy to dig and drains well. Pick up a trowel’s worth and put it in your hands. Does it feel gritty? Too much sand. Is it powdery? Too much silt. Is it sticky when wet? Too much clay. The combination of these three types, and in which specific proportions, determines the texture of your garden soil. That texture affects drainage and the availability of nutrients.

You want soil that is dark, crumbly, and literally full of life. Fortunately, no matter what the texture may be, all soil can be improved over time by incorporating organic matter into it. Take sandy soils, for instance. They’re made up of large soil particles, so water and nutrients run through gaps relatively quickly. Adding organic matter (typically compost) to sandy soil helps fill in the spaces between sand particles, which helps retain both moisture and nutrients for plants to use.

Clay soils are just the opposite. They contain very small, densely packed particles that hold moisture but don’t allow much air space for plant roots. Compost helps separate those tiny clay particles so water can drain more freely and plant roots can get needed oxygen. If it’s not clear which type of soil you have, send a sample to a state-certified soil-testing lab for analysis.

To prepare your soil for planting, spread any needed amendments like compost and work them into the soil with a tiller or spade. Avoid stepping on freshly tilled soil or you’ll compact it and undo all your hard work. Then rake the surface smooth and water thoroughly. Allow the bed to rest several days before you plant so the soil amendments can do their work.

Test Garden Tip: Raised garden beds are an easy option if you have poor soil. Build the raised beds on the existing lawn by lining the bottom of frames with several layers of newspaper, then filling with soil. That way, you don’t have to do as much digging.

6. Be Ready for Pests and Diseases

Some problems require special solutions, but in general, follow these guidelines for keeping pests away from your veggies.

Stop Weeds in Their Tracks

Weeds compete with your vegetables for light, water, and nutrients, so it’s important to keep them to a minimum. A mulch of clean straw, compost, or plastic can keep weeds at bay around larger plants like tomatoes. Use a hoe to discourage any weed seedlings that do pop up.

Keep Animals Out

Big pests, such as deer and rabbits, can wreak havoc in an edible garden. It takes an 8-foot-tall fence to keep deer from jumping into the garden. A fence needs to extend 6 inches beneath the soil to stop rabbits and other burrowing critters from digging their way in.

Deter Destructive Insects

Picking off large insects and caterpillars by hand (and dropping them into a bucket of sudsy water) is a safe, effective way to deal with limited infestations. For bigger quantities of insects, try insecticidal soap sprays that you can find at most garden centers. Whichever pest-control chemicals you use, carefully follow the manufacturers’ directions.

Fight Fungal Diseases

Reduce the likelihood of fungal diseases by watering the soil, not the leaves of the plants. If you use a sprinkler, do it early in the day so the leaves will dry by nightfall. If a plant falls prey to a disease, promptly remove it and throw it in the trash; don’t add sick plants to your compost pile. Additional disease preventatives include growing vegetable varieties listed as disease-resistant and changing the location of your plants each year (crop rotation) to reduce disease-causing microbes from building up their populations.

5 Simple Tips for an Awesome Family Road Trip

By Jacob Eastlick on June 16, 2021 0

Whether you and your family are driving to the zoo, the lake or visiting relatives, you are part of the American tradition of the road trip. Part of the appeal of a road trip is all the fun along the way. So, to make sure you’re prepared for your spontaneous adventures check out these tips:

1. Take your vehicle in for maintenance

Oil changes, tire rotations and brake pad replacements are all great ideas before your big trip. Tell the mechanic about your road trip plans and approximately how many miles you plan to travel in your vehicle. They may be able to spot potential issues before you leave to avoid a problem on the road.

2. Review your auto insurance policy

It’s a good idea to review what your auto insurance covers before you hit the road. Things like road trouble service and rental car coverage may be important to know if they are included on your policy.

You may want to consider our Personal Automobile Plus endorsement which includes coverage if your car breaks down more than 100 miles from your home for things like overnight accommodations and meals. Even if you’re not over 100 miles away from home, it may also pay toward the cost of getting you to your destination by other means, whether that be a rental car, or public transportation. It’s also a good idea to save your insurance agent’s phone number in your phone along with any applicable after-hours claim numbers. For Auto-Owners policies, the after-hours number is 1-888-252-4626.

Read: Making the Auto Insurance Switch

3. Check the weather at home and your destination

In the days before your trip, you’ll probably watch the weather forecast for your destination and route. However, it’s also a good idea to check the upcoming weather for your home.

The last thing you want is to come home and find that a tree has fallen on your house, or that your basement has flooded. See what the forecast says and ask a neighbor to check on your house once a day, especially if there’s bad weather. Be sure you leave them a reliable contact number.

4. Renting a vehicle? Make sure it’s covered

If you decide to rent a vehicle for your road trip, contact your local insurance agent to learn about rental car coverages. Most rental companies will ask if you want to purchase insurance for your rental car. But, you may not need it. Your independent agent can check your existing auto policy for any coverages that may apply and can discuss coverages you may be able to add. One coverage to ask about is rental gap coverage.

Unless you’ve read the fine print on the rental contract you probably haven’t heard of this coverage. Your local insurance agent will know and can help you feel confident signing your rental agreement.

Rental Gap Coverage: Let’s say you crash your rental car and it’s worth $20,000, but the rental company decides to sell it for $10,000 instead of fixing it. Without rental gap coverage, you are responsible for the difference.

5. Arrange roadside help before you go

Roadside trouble service can be a vacation saver and you don’t have to be a member of an auto association to get it. At Auto-Owners, we offer Road Trouble Service coverage that can easily be added to your auto policy. This service includes a 24-hour hotline if you need a tow, or if you have an emergency with your car battery, oil or gas. All of these features are easily accessible via our Auto-Owners Mobile app! Our Road Trouble Service coverage extends across the country, and in most situations, you won’t have to pay for services out of pocket.

Read: You Just Got In a Car Accident. Now What?

Taking steps to prepare for your road trip may be work now but will help you have a more relaxed and enjoyable vacation. Talk to your local independent insurance agent to ensure your vehicle is covered for your adventures ahead.

Disclaimer: The analysis of coverage is in general terms and is superseded in all respects by the Insuring Agreements, Endorsements, Exclusions, Terms and Conditions of the Policy. Some of the coverage mentioned in this material may not be applicable in all states or may have to be modified to conform to applicable state law. Some coverages may have been eliminated or modified since the publishing of this material. Please check with your local Independent Auto-Owners Insurance Agent for details.

How to Select the Best Homeowners Insurance Coverage

By Jacob Eastlick on June 16, 2021 0

Buying a home is an exciting, new adventure. One of the many decisions you will make is how to insure your new home.

The Insurance Information Institute reports that one in 20 insured homes has a claim each year. While you never want to file a claim, having the right coverage is critical to your new investment.

Here’s how you can make sure you’re choosing the best homeowners insurance coverage for your home.

1. Understand What Homeowners Insurance Provides

It’s important to understand homeowners insurance when selecting your coverages.

A simple definition of homeowners insurance: an agreement to repair or replace your home and put your life back to where it was after a disaster/covered loss in return for a premium/payment.

Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover:

The cost to rebuild your home after a disaster
Your contents inside the home in the event of a covered loss
Liability coverage to pay medical bills if somebody is injured on your property
Living expenses if you have to leave your home after a disaster

An Auto-Owners standard Home policy will also cover:

Fire department charges in the event of a home fire
Food spoilage after a prolonged power outage
Debris removal after a covered loss

2. Explore Your Options

One of the important choices you will make when selecting a policy is your limit of insurance.

Your limit of insurance is the maximum your insurance company will pay you in the event of a covered loss.

New homeowners will often consider their home’s resale value when deciding their limits of insurance. However, you are not insuring your home’s resale value.

You want your insurance limit to cover the cost to completely rebuild your home after a covered loss.

Beyond choosing your limits, you will also have optional coverages you can add on to your policy. These may include:

Guaranteed Home Replacement Cost: Provides full replacement of your home in the event that your coverage limit is too low. This may occur due to unforeseen changes in construction material and labor costs.
Personal Property Replacement Cost: Pays you the cost to purchase new contents regardless of the resale value or age in the event of a covered loss. Alternatively, standard coverage will pay you the cash value of your contents at their depreciated value.
Equipment Breakdown Coverage: Covers the breakdown of all your important home systems and personal major appliances. For example, air-conditioning systems, furnaces, compressors, laptops, televisions, home appliances, and hot-water heaters

Check out this interactive home tour to see Equipment Breakdown Coverage in action.

3. Choose the Right Insurance Company

Your next step is choosing the right insurance company. We recommend starting with a local, independent insurance agent.

When you search for the cheapest insurance option online, you are most likely missing important details and coverages. A low price doesn’t necessarily mean appropriate coverage.

A local, independent insurance agent represents many insurance companies. They can provide you with personalized quotes from any of them based on your needs.

Read: Why Independent Agents?

An agent will help you dig deeper and find out exactly what is and isn’t covered under each policy you consider. Also, their success is dependent on representing quality insurance companies. So, they are very familiar with insurance companies known for superior customer service.

Find your local, independent insurance agent with our Agency Locator tool.

4. Bundle Your Insurance Policies for Extra Savings

Oftentimes, insurance companies offer multiple-policy discounts since they sell multiple types of insurance. If you buy more than one policy from the same insurance company you may qualify for policy discounts.

So, if you have the option to bundle your policies with one insurance company, it is usually a good idea.

5. Remember to Look Ahead

Lastly, remember your home insurance needs may change over time. Your insurance agent is a great resource during changes to your home.

As your home and family change, tell your agent. This will help make sure you still have the best coverages for your home.

Examples of these changes may include:

Remodeling or renovating parts of your home
Changes to who is living in the home
Changes to how much time you spend in the home throughout the year
Upgrading the contents of your home
Adding a deck
Digging a pool
Finishing your basement

Another aspect of your home that may change over time is the contents inside. It’s a good idea to keep an up-to-date home inventory to document the items in your home. Several free apps can help you capture the information quickly.

Choosing the Best Homeowners Insurance for Your Home Doesn’t Have to be Hard

Purchasing your first house and homeowners insurance is not something to rush through. The advice of your local, independent agent is a great way to ensure your home is covered properly.

Learn more: Homeowners Insurance & Ways to Save with Auto-Owners

Distracted Driving and Cellphones: What Are the Risks?

By Jacob Eastlick on March 31, 2021 0

Are young drivers more likely to get into accidents caused by cellphone use?

Posted May 03, 2019 BY PSCYCHOLOGY TODAY

How dangerous is it to take your eyes off the road while distracted by a cellphone? As it happens, the answer to that question is “very”—and it’s a problem that doesn’t seem to have a clear solution, especially among young drivers.

Even before the rise of modern telecommunications, distracted driving has always been a major cause of automobile accidents. Usually defined as “shift in driver concentration toward a secondary task, leading to a deviation of attention from driving,” distractions that can have an impact on safe driving are usually divided into three main categories:

Visual distractions which can cause drivers to take their eyes off the road for any reason. Whether it involves turning your head to look at a passenger or a street sign, reading the name of a song on the audio system display, or checking the cellphone sitting next to you in the car, all it takes is a second of distraction to cause an accident.
Manual distractions which lead drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel. Adjusting the radio, opening the glove compartment to find some needed item, or picking up a cellphone are all examples of manual distractions.
Cognitive distractions can occur whenever a driver is no longer focused on the primary task of driving. This can result from drowsiness, being preoccupied by an upcoming meeting, or thinking about what you’re having for dinner.

Whatever the cause of the distraction, the consequences for drivers can be serious. Not only do distracted drivers have reduced reaction times, but they are also less aware of what is around them, including traffic signs, other cars, or pedestrians about to cross in front of them. According to a 2006 research study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 78 percent of all crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes in the United States were due to distracted driving. More recent studies showed that one out of every six fatal crashes in the United States could be linked to distracted driving.

You probably won’t be too surprised to learn that cellphone use has become a major contributor to distracted driving in recent years. Not only are cellphones virtually universal, but drivers have learned to depend on them for GPS navigation, appointment reminders, or to communicate with friends and family while driving.

It is largely because of this cellphone dependence that many auto makers have incorporated Bluetooth technology into the latest cars to provide hands-free use. Unfortunately, this led many drivers to assume that the hands-free option eliminated the risk of distracted driving (it doesn’t).

But it is probably the popularity of texting that has caused the greatest problems for drivers. The manual, visual, and cognitive distractions resulting from texting while driving has been shown to increase the likelihood of crashing by up to 23 percent, according to one 2010 study. Still, despite most drivers being well aware of the potential dangers of cellphone use when driving, this awareness doesn’t seem to have much impact on actual driving behavior. This can be especially true for younger drivers, who have been found to account for 21 percent of all texting-and-driving-related crashes.

Certainly, there is no question that younger drivers (especially younger male drivers) are at higher risk for serious driving accidents. According to Canadian traffic statistics, for example, a quarter of the total traffic deaths between 2000 and 2005 due to crashes involved young drivers between 15 and 24 years of age. Determining the actual number of vehicle fatalities that can be linked to cellphone fatalities is much more problematic, however.

In one 2015 survey study of cellphone use over time, 27 percent of a large sample of Ontario residents between the ages of 16 and 19 years admitted to texting while driving but, in a second sample surveyed just three years later, this had dropped to six percent. So, are young drivers becoming more cautious over time—or are they simply becoming more reluctant to admit to texting while driving given the severe penalties now in place in many jurisdictions? And what makes so many young people believe that the risks associated with cellphone use while driving won’t happen to them?

A new research study published in Canadian Psychology examines these questions as well as looking at some of the motivations linked to cellphone-related driving. Jessica A. Dénommée of Laurentian University and a team of researchers conducted a comprehensive review of research studies looking at recent changes in driving legislation and how drivers between the ages of sixteen and nineteen were dealing with the increased penalties for distracted driving convictions faced under the new law. Through careful screening, twenty-nine research articles were selected for further analysis. These studies referenced in these articles used data taken from self-report surveys of driver behaviors and attitudes, use of driving simulators, and naturalistic studies using in-car cameras to monitor driving behavior.

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The different factors associated with cellphone use while driving include:

Attitude towards cellphones. Despite being aware of the risks associated with cellphone use while driving, young drivers often rely on cellphones to stay in touch with family and friends and to maintain a presence on social media. This often causes them to view the advantages of cellphone use as outweighing potential dangers. Young drivers who have difficulty abstaining from cellphone use while driving were also much more prone to other risky behaviors than their counterparts. In reporting on their cellphone use, young drivers also reported relying on different strategies to avoid problems—including not using cellphones after dark, during rush hour, when weather was bad, or in areas with numerous pedestrians.

Gender. Even though cellphone use in young drivers appeared equally divided between males and females, there were some significant gender differences in cellphone use while behind the wheel. Not only did women report sending shorter text messages than men, but they were also more likely to rate texting and driving as being more distracting than their male counterparts. Also, while women were more dependent on cellphones for social purposes, men were confident in their ability to drive safely even while texting. Which also leads to the next factor:

The Illusion of control. Drivers with strong confidence in their ability to drive appear more likely to text while driving because they believe they can avoid problems. This perception of personal invulnerability is commonly seen in young males and often leads to their engaging in various risky behaviors. They also tend to be chronic multitaskers who are sure of their ability to engage in different activities at the same time.

Peer/Parent influences. For many young drivers, social influences can play an important role in the decision to text and drive. Whether this involves seeing friends or family text and drive or having friends their age treating distracted driving as being no big deal, researchers have consistently found that these kinds of social influences can lead to unsafe driving habits such as speeding or texting while driving.

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Age. This is the most obvious factor at work, with older drivers being much more cautious on the road than their younger counterparts. Older drivers are also much more experienced than young drivers and have safer driving habits in general. And considering that cellphones are a relatively recent invention, older drivers may not be as dependent on them for staying in contact. Ironically, however, older drivers are also much less able to multitask than their younger counterparts, something that might make them more cautious about anything that might distract them on the road.

Use of Hands-Free Technology. While Bluetooth, voice-recognition technology, and other innovations have been hailed as a practical alternative to cellphone use in cars, research using driving simulators hasn’t been that supportive. Experimental studies examining driving behavior under different conditions such as driving alone, using a hands-free device, or having conversations with passengers, found that any kind of distraction can affect driving behavior. In fact, in-car conversations with passengers and use of hands-free technology to make phone calls both appear to affect the driver’s ability to keep eyes on the road, merge into traffic, and apply brakes as needed. Manual use of a cellphone was still the biggest distractor, however, and represented the greatest danger to safe driving.

So, what can this kind of research teach us about reducing distracted driving in young drivers? While the risks of cellphone use in a car are well-known, even to young drivers, the need to stay in contact often overrides that risk. Also, young drivers who manage to avoid problems on the road despite engaging in this kind of risky behavior can develop a false sense of security that can make them less receptive to warnings about cellphone use.

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Despite various attempts at curbing unsafe driving, including programs in schools, public service announcements, and stronger legal penalties for drivers caught using cellphones, it’s still debatable whether these approaches are all that successful.

As we become more accustomed to remaining in constant contact with the world, deciding where and when we can use these devices, and whether this impacts our personal safety when driving or engaging in other activities that require undivided attention becomes much more critical. Though some advocates have recommended a technical fix to the problem, including having automobile manufacturers develop systems that disable hands-free and handheld devices while the car is in motion, this is likely to prove a tough sell for customers and auto makers alike. Better prevention programs, including the use of driving simulators to show young drivers how texting actually affects their ability to drive safely can help as well.

Ultimately, cellphone use in cars is a problem that isn’t likely to go away. Finding better solutions will likely become more essential than ever in the years to come.

References

Dénommée, J. A., Foglia, V., Roy-Charland, A., Turcotte, K., Lemieux, S., & Yantzi, N. (2019). Cellphone use and young drivers. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne. Advance online publication

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Are young drivers more likely to get into accidents caused by cellphone use?