Pop quiz: You’re driving somewhere and a text comes in. Do you a) slow down and answer; b) wait for a red light, then answer; or c) rest the phone on the wheel so you can still see the road while you answer?

Ok, so it’s a trick question. The answer is none of the above.

Unfortunately, we’ve been living with the assumption that it’s OK to drive around with cell phones stuck to our ears, texts flying and burgers balanced on the wheel. Here’s the cold, harsh truth: it’s not OK.  And the numbers prove it. Every year thousands of people will be injured or killed in crashes that could have been prevented. And you can be sure every one of them was confident in his or her ability to drive while distracted.

Think of it this way. You’ve got to be ready for every possible hazard, including cyclists, pedestrians, little woodland creatures…oh, yeah, and other distracted drivers. If you’re distracted for even a few seconds, a quick ride home can turn into a long hospital stay. And nothing cramps your style more than a full body cast, a sobbing parent or being charged with reckless driving.

That’s why Arbella created a mobile classroom called the ‘Distractology 101 Tour.’ This training puts new drivers behind the wheel of a simulator console. The simulator challenges you with a variety of common driving situations to give you a firsthand look at how a distraction can make the difference between being safe and being a statistic.

Toole Insurance will be hosting the Distractology 101 Tour this September… stay tuned for details!!