KnowYourDrive and Distracted Driving
Updated September 24, 2021 . AmFam Team
With KnowYourDrive®, you can earn a discount on your auto insurance based on how safe a driver you are, and your discount can change based on your distracted driving habits. Many of our customers tell us that knowing their personal distraction habits helps them reduce their distracted driving — and that keeps them safer on the road.
What counts as distracted driving?
While KnowYourDrive can’t record all types of distraction like applying makeup or eating while driving, it is able to determine distraction that involves your phone. Here are four things KnowYourDrive counts as distracted driving:
- Picking up your phone when the screen is unlocked
- Touching the screen, including swiping and typing
- Making a call while holding your phone
- A passenger using your phone (the app can’t tell who is using the phone)
What doesn’t count as distracted driving?
The KnowYourDrive app doesn’t record safe, hands-free interactions with your phone when you’re driving. So doing the following won’t lower your discount:
- Listening to music or podcasts
- Using a navigation app without touching the screen
- Stopping your car, then taking a call while holding your phone
- Sending a text/call using voice commands
- Using your vehicle’s touchscreen
- Charging your phone or having an audio cable plugged in
How to Reduce Distracted Driver Habits
To help drive more safely and maintain the maximum KnowYourDrive discount, here are some tips for how to avoid distracted driving.
Use Hands-Free Features
If you can connect your phone to your car using Bluetooth or other wireless technology to utilize features like voice commands, consider doing so. That way you won’t need to pick up and hold your phone if you need to answer a call. If your car doesn’t have built-in Bluetooth, consider purchasing a car Bluetooth kit so phone call audio can be routed through your vehicle’s speakers.
Mount Your Phone at Eye Level
If you need to use your phone as a GPS, consider purchasing a phone mount that can hold your phone near your normal line of sight while driving. This location is often above your dashboard, and be sure the mount is securely fastened so your phone doesn’t fall while you’re on the road.
Keep Your Phone out of Reach
If you don’t need to use your phone for navigation or you can take care of any necessary communication using hands-free features, consider keeping your phone somewhere in your car where you will not be able to access it. Whether your glove box or in the backseat, this can help you avoid the temptation of using your phone while driving.
Check out our resource on how to prevent distracted driving for more tips on staying safe while on the road.
This article is for informational purposes only and includes information widely available through different sources. This article does not afford, offer, or guarantee any coverage.
