Would it surprise you if we said that, in 2020, the rate of death due to car accidents went up 24% compared to 2019? According to the National Safety Council, that’s the biggest annual leap since 1924.

Although people have been driving less during the pandemic, the roads have become much more dangerous. Over 4.8 million Americans have been seriously injured in crashes during 2020, with the estimated cost to society being over $474 billion.

That’s far too many, and considering that even a seemingly minor injury can be life-changing, more people need to be aware of how dangerous distractions in the car can be.

For example, did you know that drivers talking on cell phones can miss seeing over 50% of their driving environment, including pedestrians and red lights? This includes hands-free calls. Research also shows that drivers can be distracted up to 27 seconds after sending a voice text. The truth is that the human brain isn’t designed to multitask well — instead, it switches between two tasks at a fast rate, but not nearly fast enough to keep you safe while in a vehicle.

Talk to your kids about avoiding these distractions and set a good example for them, as well! If you want additional peace of mind, you can also join AFEUSA and save over $200 on purchases with CARCHEX, a premier provider of direct-to-consumer automotive products and services, including vehicle protection plans, pre-purchase vehicle inspections, and roadside assistance. Become part of the AFEUSA family today, so you can protect your family too!